Ep. 99 1/2 - BPMN 3(?) - Part 2 Ideas for Improvements

Last week we took a deep(-er) look at what BPMN is today and pointed out the scope, difficulties, and misconceptions in the current specification.

But what are ideas for improvements?

I am glad that you asked, because this episode is exactly about this (with a slight twist to the business side of things). In this episode of the podcast, we talk about:

• Today’s topic: What should BPMN 3.0 look like? Spoiler—it's more than just dots and arrows.
• The hosts unpack the missing hierarchy in BPMN—why we need clear distinctions between high-level, process, and task models. Roland argues for flexibility and “N levels of process”—from value chains down to sub-processes.
• J-M pushes for decision levels—models as tools for making decisions, not just communication artifacts.
• Call activities: misused, misunderstood, and overcomplicated. The guys agree—most analysts don’t touch them right.
• A deep dive into lanes and pools—why they’re conceptually fine but practically messy. (Stop naming your pool after your process, people!)
• Both want organizational elements as first-class citizens—RACI, org roles, and system links built right into the spec.
• Execution vs. documentation: the eternal BPMN dilemma. Should the spec drive engines, or help humans? (Hint: both.)
• J-M dreams of BPMN models training AI agents. Roland gets heartburn just thinking about it.
• “Lanes need intelligence.” The duo agree that automation, RPA, and AI will force clarity in BPMN sooner rather than later.
• Roland throws shade at the spec’s quality control—gateways aren’t decisions, folks! Read the fine print.
• The conversation drifts into data, risks, and controls—areas where BPMN could learn a lot from EPC and real-world practice.
• We are discussing other objects: “page connectors” (process interfaces), groups, milestones, etc.
• Closing thoughts: BPMN 3.0 should unify the best of documentation and execution, EPC’s expressiveness, and OMG’s rigor—with a bit more consistency, please.

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