Wicked Problems and Business Process Management

When: Thursday September 24th, 2009. 5:30-6:00 Networking. 6:00-7:00 Presentation Where: University of Oregon, White Stag Block, 70 N.W. Couch Street, Portland, OR 97209 Enter on Couch Street. Parking available on the street, or there is a SMART PARK on Davis and Naito.

Cost: Free, but please RSVP so that we can have enough light snacks for everyone.

Please RSVP: http://bit.ly/eqGnZ (evite link) OR by linked-in http://events.linkedin.com/Wicked-Problems-Business-Process/pub/107775

Hosted by: University of Oregon Applied Information Management Masters Degree Program. Presented by ABPMP. Association of Business Process Management Professionals

"Wicked problems" are problems so complicated you essentially cannot even define the problem. A formal definition for a wicked problem is that it is "unsolvable by classical, linear problem-solving processes." Wicked problems, which have been understood in the context of the planning world for some time, are now increasingly being recognized as an issue in organizational change management and business process management.

Implementing a BPM initiative is at times a wicked problem. Yet there is very little information in the literature on approaches or best practices that project managers can take to successfully address these projects.

This talk will provide practical perspectives on managing wicked problem projects. It addresses underlying issues of problem and decision framing, and then works through basic issues of both tame and wicked problems. Finally, the presentation provides suggestions and approaches to best manage wicked problem projects.

Brad Hermanson, PE, PMP, is Operations and Program Manager for the Portland Office of Parametrix, a 450-person engineering, environmental sciences and architectural firm centered in the Pacific Northwest. Brad's consulting specialties have included program management of complex and controversial projects including management of a project for the Times Beach, Missouri Superfund site, one of the most controversial Superfund sites in the United States. He was also the consulting project manager for the Columbia River Channel Improvement Project, one of the most divisive environmental projects in the Pacific Northwest. Brad is a trainer and technical practitioner in decision analysis, risk management, and project management. He has also taught graduate courses on environmental law and regulations, and is a sought after workshop and conference speaker for a wide range of environmental topics.

Association of Business Process Management Professionals The Association of Business Process Management Professionals is a non-profit, vendor independent professional organization dedicated to the advancement of business process management concepts and its practices. ABPMP is practitioner-oriented and practitioner-led. The mission of the ABPMP is to engage in activities that promote the practice of business process management, has developed a Common Body of Knowledge in this field, and to contribute to the advancement and skill development of professionals who work in this discipline.