"Is BPM the Scapegoat for AI Failures? A Critical Look at Process Management's Future"

In this candid episode, Caspar and Russell tackle the uncomfortable question: Is BPM destined to become the scapegoat for failing AI initiatives? They dive into Deloitte's Tech Trends 2026 report, which predicts that 40% of AI projects will be cancelled, and explore BPM's role in these failures. Russell questions whether there's a fundamental flaw in BPM methodology that prevents widespread adoption, while Caspar argues it's too early to blame a use case that's only 18 months old. The conversation takes an intriguing turn when they examine the tension between agile methodologies and process governance, with both hosts agreeing that organizations need structure at higher levels while allowing agility at granular levels. They discuss the challenge of integrating BPM into organizations already saturated with methodologies like Lean Six Sigma and Scrum. A key insight emerges: never appoint a perfectionist to lead your BPM project—generalists should be at the top with perfectionists handling the details. They also explore the complexity of defining process ownership, especially the critical role of end-to-end process owners, and debate whether BPM practitioners should adapt their standard role frameworks to fit existing organizational structures. The episode concludes with a promise to tackle the controversial topic of process taxonomy and SAP's influence on enterprise architecture in their next discussion.

1. The Scapegoat Risk: With 40% of AI initiatives predicted to fail by 2027, BPM risks becoming the fall guy despite the BPM-for-AI use case being only 18 months old—too early to judge its effectiveness.
2. Agility Needs Structure: Organizations should allow agile methodologies at granular levels (individual products or use cases) but maintain structured governance at higher levels to prevent chaos across 127+ development tribes.
3. Generalists Lead, Perfectionists Execute: Never appoint a perfectionist to lead BPM initiatives—put pragmatic generalists at the top and save perfectionists for detailed, lower-level work where precision matters.
4. Adapt to Existing Structures: Rather than imposing standard BPM roles on organizations already saturated with methodologies (Scrum, Lean Six Sigma), start with defining the end-to-end process owner and build around existing organizational capabilities.
5. Value Comes from Connections: The true value of BPM isn't in having models—it's in understanding the dependencies between enterprise artifacts (activities, roles, applications, risks) to prevent unintended consequences from changes.

Keywords

AI, business processes, innovation, change management, organizational structure, data quality, Stephen Wunker, BPM, technology adoption, consulting

Summary

In this episode of the BPM 360 Podcast, hosts Caspar and Russell engage with Stephen Wunker, managing director of New Markets Advisors, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on business processes and organizational structures. They explore the importance of adapting to change, the role of innovation in large enterprises, and the necessity of critical thinking in the age of AI. Stephen shares insights from his extensive experience in consulting and his latest book, 'AI and the Octopus Organization,' emphasizing the need for organizations to rethink their processes and embrace AI as a tool for achieving business objectives.

Takeaways

AI is a revolutionary tool that requires rethinking business objectives.

Organizations must adapt to change and embrace innovation.

The octopus serves as a metaphor for adaptability in business.

AI can enhance decision-making but requires human engagement.

Data quality is crucial for effective AI implementation.

Change management involves addressing emotional responses to disruption.

Startups and large enterprises face different challenges in innovation.

Experimentation is key to successful AI integration.

Organizations should prioritize a few key business questions for transformation.

Critical thinking is essential in the age of AI.

Sound bites

"AI is better than a human being."

"You cannot tango on your own."

"AI makes mediocre workers decent."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:24 The Impact of AI on Business

03:34 Stephen Wunker's Background and Expertise

06:33 Innovation Processes in Large Enterprises

10:13 The Role of Structure in Startups

11:56 AI as an Organizational Enabler

17:39 Rethinking Business Models with AI

21:10 The Importance of Data Quality

23:48 Emotional Aspects of Change Management

30:30 Strategies for AI Integration

33:32 Distributed Intelligence in Organizations

36:29 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration

42:54 Final Thoughts and Dilemmas

Keywords

BPM, process management, AI, trends, 2026, strategic asset, agentic AI, BPM singularity, digital twin, orchestration

Summary

In this episode of the BPM 360 Podcast, hosts Caspar and Russell discuss the revival of process management as a strategic asset, the role of agentic AI in BPM, and the convergence of BPM with other disciplines, leading to what they term 'BPM Singularity'. They explore the trends shaping BPM for 2026, emphasizing the importance of AI in enhancing process management and the need for organizations to adopt a holistic approach to process and data management.

Takeaways

The podcast is entering its fifth season, highlighting its growth and milestones.

There is an ambition to increase the frequency of podcast episodes this season.

The revival of process management is seen as a strategic asset for organizations.

AI is becoming a critical component in enhancing BPM capabilities.

The concept of agentic AI is crucial for the future of BPM.

BPM is gaining traction again due to the emergence of AI technologies.

Organizations need to manage process variance effectively to optimize operations.

The convergence of BPM with enterprise architecture and orchestration is essential for success.

AI is driving the need for a holistic understanding of organizational processes.

The podcast aims to explore the evolving landscape of BPM and AI throughout the season.

Sound bites

"AI is making these repositories accessible."

"The process scope is expanding."

"You cannot just think in your department."

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Season 5

03:39 Trends in BPM for 2026

14:15 AI's Role in BPM

23:30 The BPM Singularity

33:26 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes