
What's Your Baseline? Enterprise Architecture & Business Process Management Demystified
This show is about Enterprise Architecture and Business Process Management, and how you can set up your practice to get the most out of it.
It is for newbies who just get started with these topics, organizations who want to improve their EA/BPM groups (and the value that they get from it), as well as practitioners who want to get a different perspective and care about the discipline.
Learn more about the show and read articles about EA and BPM on www.whatsyourbaseline.com.
Latest episodes

Aug 28, 2023 • 1h 2min
Ep. 52 - Process Modeling: Kevin Tan
In this podcast, Kevin Tan introduces Process-bility, a unique approach to process modeling. He discusses the three layers of Process-bility - why, how, what, and how to apply them to process diagrams for storytelling, visual balance, and simplicity.

Aug 14, 2023 • 1h 3min
Ep. 51 - Design-driven Transformation: James Toomey
We had the topic of today's episode - transformation - a couple of times on this podcast, even though we did not call the episodes like that. But why?
Because transformation in today's times is not an exception but the reality for all organizations. It is not just "an update by IT", or something that is a "one and done". We all need to change and transform our organizations all the time. However, a lot of organizations are caught in their day-to-day issues and don't plan the change - they don't know how their "tomorrow" should look like.
Our guest this week is James Toomey, one of the founders of TMWR Lab and an expert in defining the strategy to get to the desired "tomorrow" but also in the "how" to get there.
He is a Connected SaaS Business, Commercial Innovation, and Brand Strategy executive with a proven track record in creating, enhancing, and building tangible value for companies, products, and brands across a diverse range of sectors.In addition to this he's an Expert Design-thinking and workshop facilitator and seasoned problem-solver with proven ability to tackle an issue/opportunity from all perspectives to deliver actionable roadmaps: new revenues, new business models, advanced capability building, and culture advancement.
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
James' background
Companies are looking how to modernize and transform, but often don't have a clear vision and strategy
Development of a top-down strategy: Customers and Go-to-Market; Operational capabilities; Employee engagement and/or empowerment; Vendors and networked value
Automation capabilities vs. innovation capabilities
How to activate transformation programs
You can find James on LinkedIn, or have a look at his website here: https://www.thetmrwlab.com/.
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

Jul 31, 2023 • 1h 5min
Ep. 50 - Sustainability: Anthony Gilbreath
Some topics seem to be a "stretch too far" for this podcast, and the topic for today's episode seems to be one of those: Sustainability.
But is it? Yes, Sustainability -or the lack of it- is a global problem, that manifests itself in climate change, social restructuring, and many other forms. But it also becomes a topic that organizations have to adjust to in their business practices. And some areas of the world are doing this for decades by now - not only being pushed by the desire to do something good, but also because regulations require it and it is just "good business practice".
Our guest this week is Anthony Gilbreath. He has over 20 years experience in oil & gas, alternative energy and sustainability consulting. He authored the CurrentState Sustainability Audit for Caelus as well as many sustainability consulting services for Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). He has extensive international experience (10 years + in Moscow, 5 years + in the UK) as well as experience with blue-chip clients such as BAE Systems, Raytheon, Unilever, Gazprom, Bombardier, Transport for London, Virgin, SAP and others.
He was also a subject matter expert and contributor to Ted Turner and Sam Nunn founded NUCLEAR THREAT INITIATIVE (NTI) study on “High Technology Business Accelerators for Russia”. Finally, he authored the book 'The Ultimate Guide to Greening your Home' in 2010 (https://tinyurl.com/y4j45x4n).
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
Anthony's background
A brief history of Sustainability
Standards and frameworks
How to approach Sustainability when you get started with this topic in your organization
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and TFCD (Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures)
The future of Sustainability
You can reach Anthony via email or LinkedIn, and also via his website here: https://www.caelusconsulting.com/.
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

Jul 28, 2023 • 1min
Season 5 Trailer
Welcome back to the What's Your Baseline? Podcast. We are starting our Season 5 (who would have guessed that?) next Monday, July 31, with our 50th episode about Sustainability.
We can't wait to hear back from you :-)

Jun 26, 2023 • 1h 14min
Ep. 49 - Customer Experience Management
Welcome to the last episode of our podcast in Season 4 (no worries, we'll be back for a Season 5). Today we are talking about Customer Experience Management, which is complimentary to BPM and EA.
The key difference is that Customer Experience Management has an outside-in perspective on things, versus the inside-out perspective of your organization, which many BPM groups try to capture and manage. The point is that you shouldn't stop with this, but rather create an additional view in your architecture, that then can be designed - just as you design your process or app landscapes.
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
What is the purpose of Customer Journey Mapping?
Outside-in vs inside-out perspective
What benefits / risks are there on businesses that justify the need for CXM/CJM?
How does this fit into a process and architecture transformation lifecycle?
Who contributes to Customer Experience Management?
How to design Customer Experience
How to measure Customer Experience?
How to analyze Customer Journeys?
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

Jun 12, 2023 • 1h 9min
Ep. 48 - Enterprise Mining: Mark McGregor
We have spoken about Process Mining and data-driven decision making quite a lot on this podcast.
But does it stop with mining processes? I think the next step is growing this field of data analysis to "Enterprise Mining" where the same idea will be applied to apps, data, orgs, risks, etc. And the idea is the same - get a factual basis from system records and then augment it with human information and interpretation.
Our guest this week is Mark McGregor, a former Research Director at leading IT industry analysis firm Gartner, Mark has an extensive background in enterprise architecture, business process management, process modeling, process mining, and change management. He has held executive positions with several technology companies. Since retiring from Gartner, he has worked with clients such as Changepoint, Erwin, Mega, Planview, LeanIX, Signavio, ABBYY, Workpath, Axellience and iGrafx. Currently he serves as a Head of Product Marketing & Strategy at Apromore, while also providing advice to investors and management consultancies on these specialist markets.
Mark has authored or co-authored four books on business and process management, including “Thrive! How to Succeed in the Age of the Customer” and “In Search of BPM Excellence” and “People-Centric Process Management”. Widely respected for his knowledge and views on business change, he is the creator of "Next Practice" and has been described as a “BPM Guru," a "Thought Leader" and a "Master of Mindset”.
Mark spent much of the last twenty five years traveling the world, learning, teaching, and researching the cultural issues of change and how executives perceive business and process improvement. In this capacity, he has taught hundreds of people and been fortunate to interview and interact with many CEOs.
Mark is passionate about the people aspects of change, and has travelled the world, learning, teaching and researching the cultural aspects of change and how executives perceive business and process improvement. He has presented and taught thousands of people the importance of process and how to harness the power of process. He has also been fortunate to interview and interact with many CEOs about their perception and views on BPM.
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
Mark's background
His perspective on the Process Mining market today (and how we got there when looking at Business Process Management vendors)
Full process lifecycle support (mining > design > simulation > automation), and how people try to shortcut things
Enterprise Mining - extending the concept of mining to other areas (rule discovery, etc.)
Workforce productivity management and how process/task mining fit into the picture of Enterprise Mining
How BI and Mining will come/work together and the ethics on these topics
You can reach Mark via email or LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcgregor/.
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

May 29, 2023 • 1h 2min
Ep. 47 - Process Simulation: John Hill
Explore the evolution of Process Simulation tools with AI, John Hill's background, and how Simulation aids in decision-making processes. Learn about optimizing resources, Digital Twins, and a successful client deployment example. Dive into the significance of Simulation in transforming organizations and driving business value through scientific analysis.

May 15, 2023 • 1h 8min
Ep. 46 - Gamification and Performance Management
Welcome to the next episode of our podcast. Today we are talking about Gamification, a topic that we are a bit critical towards, but which seems to be here to stay (it's a generational thing, I guess...). But the twist in this episode is how it influences the performance of your architecture or business process team.
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
What is a gamification and what are the core elements?
Why should you gamify everything (or not)?
How do process/architecture and gamification fit?
How to create a gamification strategy
What are the day-to-day "mechanics" and how do you reward success?
What does that mean for process management and architecture?
Potential benefits of gamification
Four examples of organizations that deployed gamification and had success with it
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

May 1, 2023 • 1h 2min
Ep. 45 - Why do CIOs need Enterprise Architecture: Luca de Risi
Enterprise Architects? Aren’t those the useless people who always say “no”? That is one of the perspectives we have heard about EAs in the past. But what can EAs do and how do the progress from “noisy” to “influential”?
In this episode of the What’s Your Baseline? podcast we discuss the role of Enterprise Architects and the changes to the discipline with Luca de Risi from Mega International, who brings a wealth of experience in this field to the episode.
Luca is Mega’s Chief Executive Officer and he held various leadership positions at the firm before that, like, being the country manager for the APAC business while being located in Singapore, or as Business Development Executive in the United States. He started his career as an internal auditor for a major French car maker before joining Mega.
Luca lives in Paris with his wife and young daughter, so we all know that he’s busy on two fronts 🙂
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
Luca’s background
Key drivers for EA today and the key role of the architect
Business Transformation and continuous change
Examples of transformation projects
EA and Security – a connected approach
Resilency and change of the EA role from designer to orchestrator
What slows EAs down?
Luca can be reached via LinkedIn or you can contact him via Mega’s website.
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.

Apr 17, 2023 • 1h 7min
Ep. 44 - Process Notations (And Why They Are Not Important): Walter Bril
When starting with process management one of the first questions is “what process notation shall I use”. In this episode of the What’s Your Baseline? podcast we discuss this question with Walter Bril, who is one of the co-inventors of the Universal Process Notation (UPN) and why it is not *really* important what notation you should use … it is more important which approach to Business Process Management you choose.
Walter has a strong process knowledge management background, combined with skills and experience in technology management for more than 20 years. Involved in and contributed to the field of practical process knowledge preservation. As you will hear, he has a no-nonsense approach and a unique and practical way to involve and motivate people regarding process knowledge management, process thinking and creating awareness.
Besides nerding out on process notations, he spends more time in the interesting developments around the Bitcoin protocol and public blockchain. Particularly in the context of social developments, concerns regarding the sustainability of traditional thinking models, and the socio-economic potential that a public blockchain has to offer. The combination “process-nerd” and blockchain evangelist is particularly valuable in this (oh, and he is the co-author on two books on this topic as well).
In this episode of the podcast we are talking about:
Walter’s background
The UPN notation and the 5 questions you should ask when modeling a process
The “why” behind all this
How to implement a new notation/approach in an organization
How to convince people
What is the “now what” then?
You can reach Walter on LinkedIn or by sending him an email to walter@elements.cloud.
Please reach out to us by either sending an email to hello@whatsyourbaseline.com or leaving us a voice message by clicking here.