Workflow is an integral component of Knowledge Management Initiatives. More often than not, I am approached to implement a Knowledge Management System (KMS) where the KMS is the perceived end-all to the information management problem and the process/workflow component is not on the radar. Without standardized (manual or electronic) processes, the KMS becomes a content conversion project that inevitably fails. Current content is converted and the processes for information inception to the end pristine knowledge artifact(s) are not addressed. Ultimately, adding another information silo and useless repository.
Business Process Management (BPM) tools will address the information lifecycle from inception to retention. J2EE BPM tools have inundated the BPM space and work well for system-to-system processes. Knowledge Management heavily relies upon human-to-system and human-to-human interaction; requiring BPM tools to integrate within the users’ workspace. J2EE BPM tools are code intensive and do not embrace corporate agility.
J2EE BPM’s generate rigid programming code. Whereas Microsoft .Net platforms immediate deployment, shared and combined with other best processes and practices throughout the enterprise. The three metadata driven, dynamic framework architecture tools that I have deployed are Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Ascentn AgilePoint, and K2.net. All three are great tools integrating within the users’ Microsoft space, such as, MS Office, web forms, InfoPath, SharePoint, MS SQL Server, Active Director, etc. Depending upon the decision to empower the business units and the financial availability to purchase/implement a workflow/BPM solution, will influence the selection process. WF is code intense and free. It is not a BPM tool but a framework to code workflow processes.
K2provides a GUI interface to model the workflow after significant coding is complete for each object. Note: I have viewed demos of the new k2 [blackpearl] version and have yet worked with it in production environment. AgilePoint provides out-of-the-box process activities, which need configuration but no code development. Of the three tools, AgilePoint is the only true BPM solution.
Research each tool for yourself and remember Gartner statistics show 85% of IT projects fail to meet objectives whereas 90% of ‘process’ projects succeed.
WF (100% Code: 0% Business Analysis)
K2 (80% Code: 20% Business Analysis)
AgilePoint (20% Code: 80% Business Analysis)
