Software Tools for Business Process Design and Management
Here's a code to help you find the right tool for your organization:
F = Free, CE = Free Community Edition,
OS = Open Source, D = Dashboards and other management views,
UML = Full UML model support, BPMN = primarily only using BPMN,
SaaS = Software as a Service or Cloud based tool,
SW = Includes full Sofware life cycle design.
CS = A comprehensive BPM, BPA, and EA solution.
E = May be expensive for smaller businesses.
Where available, download a trial version to see how fast the software runs on your system. Many open source applications dominate computer resources.
Consider total cost including training and any coding required such as linking to your databases.
Business Process Modeling Tools
All tools listed are UML or BPMN compliant and some interface business models directly with software design and databases.
Enterprise Architect from Sparx Systems
Enterprise Architect is one of the best values in modeling tools. Visual tools for business modeling, systems engineering, enterprise architecture, requirements management, software design, code generation, testing and more.
Code: UML, SW.
Business Process Visual Architect
The Analyst Edition is a business modeling software that supports all BPMN 2.0 diagrams and other essential business modeling diagrams such as data flow, process map, event-driven process chain, entity relationship and organization chart.
Code: BPMN, CS.
Questetra BPM Suite
Questetra BPM Suite is a web-based BPM system with three functions: an advanced workflow function, drag-and-drop business process definition and monitoring and measuring performance. Free for 5 or less active users.
Code: D, BPMN, SaaS.
TIBCO Business Studio Community Edition
TIBCO Business Studio Community Edition is a free, standards-based, business process modeling environment that enables business experts to model and simulate business processes and their supporting data and organization models. BPMN and XPDL.
Code: CE, BPMN, CS.
ProcessMaker Community Edition
ProcessMaker is a simple, open source workflow software solution. ProcessMaker helps organizations of all sizes to design, automate, and deploy approval based business processes. Free Open Source version. Paid subscription.
Code: F, OS, BPMN, SaaS.
Large, Comprehensive Process Tools
These tools contain management views and comprehensive Business Architecture functionality.
Metastorm Business Process Management (BPM)
Metastorm BPM provides a comprehensive and highly proven BPM solution.
Code: D, BPMN, CS, E.
Metastorm ProVision
Expensive. Comprehensive support for Business Architecture, Information Architecture and Strategic Planning.
Code: D, BPMN, CS, E.
Appian
Extending the power of BPM to mobile devices, cloud computing and social business. By making BPM universally accessible and personalized to individual users.
Code: D, BPMN, SaaS, CS.
Bonita Open Solution
Intuitive, powerful open source Business Process Management tool for simple to complex processes. Free software, paid professional services.
Code: F, OS, D, BPMN, CS.
Bizagi
Bizagi Business Process Management solutions combine modeling, business rules, databases, and roles to execute and monitor flexible processes. Free modeling tool available.
Code: D, BPMN, CS.
Modeling Tool Lite
These are free, light weight applications.
uEngine
uEngine is an open source BPMS. One of the successful open source BPM projects with matured architecture and references in diverse industries.
Code: F, OS, UML, SW.
StarUML
UML version 2.0 and MDA abilities.
Code: F, OS, UML, SW.
CuteFlow
CuteFlow is a web based open source document circulation and workflow system. Users are able to define documents which are sent step by step to every station or user in a list.
Code: F, OS.
Interfacing Technologies
A simple plugin for Microsoft Visio. Convert Visio Shapes to BPMN.
Code: F, BPMN.
Miscellaneous Cool Software Tools
These applications don't neatly fit into Modeling or Process Management, but are worth a look as tools to support your organization.
The Agile Platform
The Agile Platform by Outsystems is for building custom enterprise web applications and websites. Free for under 25 users.