Business Process Management as the foundation for Agentic AI

The emergence of Agentic AI – autonomous AI systems that make decisions and perform actions independently – promises to revolutionise how organisations design and optimise processes. But before you can even dream of such advanced applications, one thing is essential: watertight Business Process Management (BPM).

Without clear, structured and measurable processes, you risk AI becoming a “black box” that may look impressive but does not deliver real, measurable value. Business process management (BPM) forms the foundation for successful Agentic AI.

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence (AI) systems that not only analyse data or make predictions, but can also act autonomously within defined frameworks. These “agents” take over tasks, communicate with other systems, and adapt based on real-time feedback.

Think of autonomous customer service bots that handle complex queries, logistics AI planners that dynamically adjust delivery routes, or financial AI assistants that detect and correct anomalies in transactions.

The power of Agentic AI lies in the combination of autonomy and contextual understanding. But that power can only be fully exploited if the underlying processes are clear, consistent and measurable.

What is BPM?

Business process management (BPM) is a framework for identifying, discovering, analysing, optimising, simulating and observing customer and organisational processes.

BPM has a life cycle that runs from identifying processes through discovery and analysis to optimisation, simulation, implementation and observation, and back to discovery.

BPM is indispensable for Agentic AI

There are several reasons why BPM is indispensable if you want to make Agentic AI a success.

Transparency and accountability – Agentic AI should never be a “black box”. When an AI agent makes a decision, it should be clear why that decision was made and what process steps led to it. Good BPM ensures documented processes, traceability, and compliance. This is particularly essential for high-risk areas such as financial transactions or healthcare.

Measurable value creation - AI should not only be “smart”, but also add value. This means defining clear KPIs in advance (e.g. shorter lead times, lower costs) and continuously measuring and optimising them. BPM provides the framework for monitoring and adjusting the impact of AI.

Flexibility and scalability - Agentic AI thrives in environments where processes are modular and adaptive. BPM standardises repetitive tasks and exception handling, allowing human intervention to remain possible in complex situations.

How BPM and Agentic AI work together

Those who have their business process management well organised can make optimal use of Agentic AI.

BPM-Element	Role in Agentic AI
Process modelling	Defines the ‘scope’ for AI agents (what can/cannot be performed autonomously?).
Workflow automation	Ensures seamless integration of AI into existing systems.
Data-governance	Ensures that AI works with reliable, up-to-date data.
Performance management	Measures the impact of AI on process results and adjusts where necessary.

Avoid AI as a 'black box'

Without solid BPM, you risk inexplicable decisions, unmeasurable results and resistance from employees. First automate one well-defined – and optimised! – process with clear KPIs, and only then start working with Agentic AI.

An AI agent that generates quotations will only be successful if the underlying quotation process has already been optimised – with clear steps, validation rules and feedback loops. Set indicators for the outcome (output with value for the customer) and also for the most important intermediate steps.

If this proves successful, you can scale up. If it is not yet ideal, you can further optimise the process and/or the AI. With BPM, the organisation has the mechanism and discipline to continuously measure and improve.

Order creates space for (AI) autonomy

Agentic AI is not a magic wand that solves chaotic processes – it is the icing on the cake of good BPM. Organisations that have their processes in order can use AI to work smarter, faster and more transparently. The key? Start with BPM, measure the value, and build on that.

Question for you: Which process in your organisation would benefit most from an Agentic AI solution? And how do you ensure that the outcome remains measurable and transparent?

Practical approach to working with BPM and Agentic AI

Would you like to learn how to set up BPM as a foundation for Agentic AI? During our BPM Specialist Training in November, you will work on your own case study in a practical manner.

We cover not only the principles of effective process management, but also the role of (Agentic) AI in process optimisation. Register and discover how to design processes that are ready for the future – with measurable value and transparency as your starting point.

Register for the BPM Training Course