BPMN vs. CMMN: What’s The Difference?

Irrespective of the domain, businesses across the globe are looking for ways to boost productivity while keeping mistakes to a minimum. For many of them, this means taking a closer look at how things are done, identifying areas for improvement, and adapting to new challenges as they arise.

Sometimes, this even involves sticking to clear, structured workflows for routine tasks. Other times, it means creating flexible approaches to handle unpredictable situations where a rigid process just won’t cut it.

This is where BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) and CMMN (Case Management Model and Notation) come into play. Let’s explore how these two frameworks differ and where each one fits best.

What Is CMMN?

CMMN is a graphical framework designed to represent workflows that revolve around managing cases. It is different from structured processes and focuses on handling dynamic scenarios where solutions are not predefined. In other words, it requires flexibility to address unexpected situations.

This framework enhances its functionality through case files and an event-driven approach, which works well for complex processes. It can also be combined with BPMN for businesses to manage both structured workflows and unpredictable cases.

Why Do Businesses Need CMMN?

CMMN can help businesses manage unstructured processes effectively. Here’s how it adds value:

• It can simplify complex workflows through clear, unambiguous graphical representations. This enables quicker understanding and decision-making.
• Its intuitive visual approach encourages active participation from stakeholders and fosters shared ownership of processes.
• This framework can also help organisations build a repository of case definitions, workflows, and policies. This can make it easier to onboard new employees and maintain consistency across teams.

What Is BPMN?

BPMN is a graphical representation used to map and document business processes. It simplifies the visualisation of complex workflows to make it easier for organisations to understand/optimise their operations. It ensures all stakeholders can easily interpret even intricate processes by offering a clear and structured view of the task flow.

You can consider BPMN as a roadmap for your business providing a clear path to your goals while identifying the most efficient ways to get there.

Why Do Businesses Need BPMN?

BPMN offers several key benefits for businesses, including the following:

• BPMN helps translate high-level transitions into actionable processes, rules, and decisions that align with the organisation’s vision.
• It provides detailed and easy-to-understand documentation of processes, which is particularly useful for onboarding new employees. 
• BPMN also updates and organises previously undocumented or outdated processes. This consistency drives productivity and enables teams to achieve more with fewer resources.

BPMN vs. CMMN: A Quick Comparison

Wrapping Up

While BPMN and CMMN are powerful frameworks individually, they are even more effective when used together. While BPMN excels at structured, predictable processes, CMMN is suitable for managing dynamic workflows. This is how businesses can achieve a balanced approach that adapts to different types of activities and challenges.