Process mining for beginners: 5 questions and answers

Process mining is currently on everyone's lips. Even the term 'mining' could arouse the thought of a previously hidden gold vein in one or the other. But what is behind it? And what should you really pay attention to as a beginner?

Large companies are increasingly relying on a process mining solution. They hope that this will lead to a significant improvement in their internal processes. A high process quality and an increase in employee productivity are goals worth striving for. The hoped-for solution is process mining.

#1 - What is Process Mining?

Process mining describes a method of business process management. With the help of software, processes in a company are recognized and analyzed. In best-case scenario, the subsequent evaluation of the efficiency of the current processes provides an overview for optimization. Key performance indicators are extracted in existing systems (ERP, workflow engines, etc.). Process mining thus makes it clear what business processes really look like on a day-to-day basis.

#2 - How does it differ from the classic approach?

While process consultants have previously tried to understand and document existing processes in complex workshops, the main difference is how the actual processes are recorded. The process mining software visually depicts the status quo automatically and independently derives direct work steps from the reading result.

#3 - What are the advantages of a technological approach?

Process analysis tools concentrate purely on the acquisition and analysis of process data. In this way, process mining objectively reveals possible weaknesses and process blockers. The analysis is not based on assumptions, but on algorithms that precisely extract the quality of the processes and productivity based on extraction log data. As a result, process optimization can be initiated and process costs can be sustainably reduced.

#4 - What are the prerequisites for process mining?

The heart of process mining technology is of course the log data. The more uniformly and completely data can be collected, especially when several systems are involved, the better. Of course, standardized processes are helpful here. However, the company must have a certain degree of digital maturity. Because: The processes to be analyzed must not contain any manual work steps. After all, the work of employees who print something out and carry it to another department cannot be technically analyzed or measured.

#5 - What does process mining not support?

With all the euphoria, of course, we also must be self-critical. Process mining is not the panacea for all imaginable process difficulties. Process analysis is only part of process management. A process strategy and a well-thought-out optimization plan are required. All of these are aspects in which strategic and business-conscious thinking is required. The analyzed process flows and key performance indicators provide a good basis for planned transformation initiatives.

With pi.a analytics we support you in defining a best practice for your business processes and implementing the desired optimizations. We are happy to convince with a PoC. You can find more information about process mining with pi.a analytics here. 👉🏻 Download Whitepaper.