Initiating a continuous process mining implementation : An operational guideline for a successful implementation

Abstract

Organizations are facing difficulties to initiate a continuous Process Mining implementation. It is well established that Process Mining helps organizations to improve their business processes through data insights rather than subjective opinions. As the Process Mining technology is becoming mature, the managerial side of the disciple requires more attention. Thus, this thesis investigates how to initiate a continuous Process Mining implementation. The aim of this research is to design a guideline that operationally supports organizations in initiating their implementation. To create the artifact, the Design Science research method was utilized. A first version of the guideline was created by collecting and analyzing data from User interviews. The participants were selected because they actively participated in their company’s Process Mining implementation. To confirm the guideline, Validation interviews were conducted with Experts in Process Mining. These Process Mining managers, consultants, and doctors inputted the guideline with metrics and operational example and validated it. The results showed 3 important pillars for initiating a continuous Process Mining implementation: the Process-, the Data-, and the Organizational- Pillars. It was found that for a successful implementation, the pillars must synergize. To support this journey, the IPMI guideline (Initiating Process Mining Implementation), provides activities and operational tools. Another interesting finding of this research is the importance of the Organizational Pillar. This broad term encompasses various activities such as vision and strategy definition, change management, project team creation, and project governance. The implication of this finding is that the Organizational pillar leverages companies’ ability to transform a small-scale implementation pilot project into a company-wide Process Mining capability. This guideline technically and socially embeds the Process Mining capability in organizations.