It was a busy week (then)
XPSWMM plans in doubt
I began drafting this blog post shortly after Autodesk’s latest announcement in October. If memory serves, it was two weeks before Autodesk University and a week before WEFTEC—a major conference I’ve yet to attend.
Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why offers a compelling framework for understanding business success. He argues that companies thrive when they balance WHY they exist, WHAT they deliver, and HOW they provide it. Conversely, he warns that firms that lead with what or how—or worse, rely on fear and manipulation to drive results- don’t tend to do so well.
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on this lens while observing industry developments. From Starboard’s Autodesk proxy fight to conversations with a senior engineering student during a college visit bemoaning Autodesk and even discussions with engineers at the Texas Floodplain Managers Association (TFMA), I’ve noticed a recurring focus on how and what—often at the expense of why. A recent chat with a sales rep even left me questioning my sanity.
Take this excerpt from an Autodesk blog post:
"The availability of XPSWMM and XPSTORM as Autodesk subscriptions provides flexibility in choosing the software that fits your needs while helping customers continue to meet the requirements of environmental programs worldwide, including the NFIP, without any interruption. When you are ready to consider an upgrade to InfoWorks ICM, migrating XPSWMM and XPSTORM files is easier than ever with the XP Importer."
So, how did we get here?
When Autodesk acquired Innovyze, the trajectory became clear. Even the blog post subtly nudges users to upgrade to InfoWorks ICM within the Autodesk ecosystem—that is, to exchange their XPSWMM license for an InfoWorks ICM license.
A colleague recently shared a paper from the Illinois Association of State and Floodplain Managers (IASFM), titled H & H Model Review 2023, which outlines their response to Autodesk’s plans at the time. You can find it on the IASFM website here (link). Though the executive summary (see image below) contains some factual inaccuracies, it captures the uncertainty many feel.
Initially, Infocare support for perpetual software licenses—unlike XPSWMM, which is categorized as an “Excluded Legacy Product”—was set to expire in May of this year. While it wouldn’t “disappear,” the push toward ICM was loud and, for many, unpersuasive. A reprieve on steep Autodesks subscription costs would only postpone the inevitable.
Then came the surprise: Autodesk announced that some Excluded Legacy Products, including XPSWMM and XPSTORM, would transition to Autodesk subscriptions. This raises fresh questions. Will they address long-standing functionality gaps? Will the pricing align with what Innovyze offered? We’re left guessing until Autodesk Water clarifies its plans—likely soon, in the final weeks of Autodesk’s 2026 first quarter.
Perhaps I need to sharpen my messaging. As a product manager once put it:
"Simply put: A lot has changed in the last twenty years, and the next twenty years promises even more (exciting!) upgrades to hydraulic modeling software. As the industry moves forward to take advantage of ever-more-robust data and more powerful and faster cloud computing services, we’ll all need to keep demanding more of our tools so we can meet the needs of the future." (ICM Blog Post)
Mixed messages breed confusion—and inconsistent results. For those seeking clarity, consider this: TUFLOW stands out as the only software package delivering top-tier simulation performance (Multiple Domains, GPU Acceleration, and SWMM5) on a regular grid with subgrid sampling, 2D bridges, and underground stormwater conveyance systems.
No matter what Autodesk announces, your existing XP licenses remain yours. We’re here to help you take the next step and migrate your models to TUFLOW, ensuring you’re equipped for the future, not just reacting to it.