Futuristic Scenarios for BPM Use Cases in Virtual Reality

The combination of Business Process Management (BPM) and metaverse technology has the potential to significantly enhance a company's efficiency, productivity, agility, and overall performance. The only catch: there are currently no BPM software tools on the market based on metaverse technology to bring this promising synergy to life. However, an examination of possible use cases and their added value suggests that it could be highly appealing for software developers to address this gap.

The application of metaverse technology can not only elevate Business Process Management (BPM) to a new level but also create significant value for companies—at least in theory. So far, the tools needed to bridge these seemingly disparate worlds are lacking.

The metaverse provides a technological platform for interaction and collaboration among individuals and businesses in virtual reality (VR). BPM focuses on systematically and continuously managing organizational processes to improve operational efficiency, quality, and effectiveness. Combining the two could result in business processes that leverage the enhanced communication possibilities of the metaverse, achieving greater sophistication and efficiency. This is suggested by the following theoretical use cases.

Process Modeling in the Metaverse

Currently, process modeling experts use software limited to two-dimensional workspaces. While advanced BPM tools offer features like process mining and automatic cycle time calculations, their graphical interfaces remain constrained.

A metaverse-based software solution would enable BPM practitioners to design processes in a three-dimensional immersive virtual environment using VR headsets and controllers. This approach could better address the complexity of business processes, which often require multi-layered representations that push traditional screen-based tools to their limits. As a result, processes could be visualized and developed more effectively, enhancing their quality and efficiency.

Immersive Collaboration

For comprehensive BPM, companies document all their physical business processes in a theoretical framework, which must be regularly updated—especially when processes change. Typically, this involves printing out processes, discussing them in large groups, making handwritten annotations, and then manually updating the software, followed by an email approval process.

Metaverse technology could transform such meetings into collaborative digital experiences. Process changes and necessary updates could be discussed visually with all relevant stakeholders and directly incorporated into the documentation. This eliminates the need for physical meetings, reduces the workload for process modeling experts, and prevents media disruptions—and the potential errors they can cause—during collaboration.

Standardized BPM Learning Experiences

In an environment of constantly evolving processes, it is crucial to ensure employees have a consistent understanding of the process landscape, whether they are seasoned staff or new hires.

The metaverse can create a standardized learning environment to achieve this. Complex interrelationships can be demonstrated more vividly through immersive and multidimensional experiences, ensuring greater learning success. Similarly, the often-challenging transfer of theoretical knowledge to practical application becomes easier. This fosters consistency, a shared foundation for work, and a more sustainable learning effect.

Securing First-Mover Advantages

The potential of integrating metaverse applications into BPM could make it highly appealing for BPM software companies to include such solutions in their portfolios. At present, this would provide a unique selling point, underscore their innovation potential, and strengthen their market position if demand arises.

Recommendations for Developing Metaverse BPM Tools

Software developers should consider the following when creating metaverse-based BPM tools:

  1. Early Involvement of Key Stakeholders
    Involving individuals with theoretical and practical BPM expertise ensures the software meets user expectations for modeling in a metaverse environment. This prevents overlooking the target audience's needs.

  2. Idea Generation and Iteration
    Design-thinking methods can help generate ideas and iteratively refine software requirements. A subsequent benefit analysis can evaluate which functionalities should be prioritized and why. Sharing documented insights with the project team ensures faster decision-making in the future.

  3. Adherence to Usability Standards
    The software should be developed according to established usability standards and tested by both BPM professionals and novices to ensure intuitive operation. This approach promotes long-term acceptance of the software.

In the future, user experience will play an even more central role in purchasing decisions, particularly for complex products like BPM software solutions. The metaverse opens a new playing field to be explored—for better products, increased revenue, and in this case, better processes.