Intro to Process Automation (Part 1) - Why Automate Processes?
From BPMN Model to Process Execution
In my previous series on BPMN, I modeled a vacation request process and developed it step by step across several articles. Starting with a simple request and approval flow, I gradually added requirements such as manager decisions, HR involvement, and proper record updates. This made the process clearer, more realistic, and better aligned with how such a workflow is handled in practice.
That model provided a solid blueprint, but it remained a description on paper. Even though the diagram defined who should act and when, it could not guarantee that the process would actually run that way in reality.
This new series builds on that foundation. Instead of focusing on how to model processes, it explores what comes next: turning the model into an automated process in Camunda, where execution is reliable, traceable, and scalable.
The Gap Between Models and Reality
BPMN models are excellent for designing and communicating processes, but in practice they remain descriptive. A model tells people what should happen, but it cannot enforce that sequence. Employees may skip tasks, take shortcuts, or interpret responsibilities differently. This leads to processes being carried out inconsistently, even if the model is clear.
Manual execution also makes it hard to see what is happening in real time. A manager cannot easily check how many vacation requests are waiting for approval or whether a bottleneck has formed. Deviations from the intended process often go unnoticed until they cause delays or compliance problems. In regulated environments, this lack of transparency and control can quickly become a serious risk.
Why Automate?
Automation directly addresses these problems by making the process definition executable. When a model is deployed in Camunda, the engine ensures that every step is followed as defined. Tasks are routed to the right people or systems, deadlines can be enforced, and rules are applied consistently. This eliminates the risk of individual interpretation or skipped steps.
At the same time, automation provides full visibility into execution. Every process instance is tracked, making it possible to see progress, identify delays, and analyze performance. This transparency supports both daily operations and long-term improvement. Compliance also benefits, as every decision and transition is recorded and can be audited. Finally, automation scales effortlessly: whether the process runs ten or ten thousand times, the engine manages execution with the same reliability.
Camunda as the Bridge
Camunda is a process automation platform built on open standards like BPMN and DMN. It started as an embeddable workflow engine for Java applications, valued for its flexibility compared to traditional monolithic BPM suites. Over time, Camunda expanded with tools for task management, monitoring, and analytics.
With Camunda 8, the platform has become fully cloud-native. At its core is Zeebe, a distributed workflow engine designed for scalability and resilience in microservice and Kubernetes environments. Surrounding tools such as Operate, Tasklist, and Optimize provide monitoring, user interaction, and continuous improvement. This evolution reflects the shift from single embedded engines to distributed orchestration across people, systems, and cloud services.
Camunda provides the execution layer that connects BPMN models with automation. It takes a process definition and runs it as a real workflow, coordinating tasks between people, systems, and services. Instead of a static diagram, the process becomes a live entity managed by the engine.
The strength of Camunda lies in its flexibility. It is designed to integrate with existing systems rather than replace them. The engine is lightweight, can run in cloud or on-premise environments, and is suited both for small-scale deployments and large enterprise automation programs. This makes it a practical bridge between modeling and execution.
What to Expect in This Series
This first part has focused on why automation matters and why relying only on diagrams is not enough. In the next article, the focus shifts to what makes a BPMN model executable and how deploying it into Camunda turns it into a running process. Understanding that transition is key to making automation tangible.
The series as a whole will move step by step through the main building blocks of process automation with Camunda. After learning how to make and deploy executable models, we will explore the architecture of Camunda, understand how connectors and workers fit into the picture, and look at the tools Operate and Optimize for monitoring and continuous improvement.
Some Final Thoughts
A process model alone creates shared understanding. A process automation platform enforces that understanding in daily operations. This transformation is where the value of BPMN truly materializes, moving from theoretical design to measurable business impact.
Automation does not replace modeling but extends it. The combination of BPMN for design and Camunda for execution ensures that processes are not only well-documented but also reliably run and continuously improved.