8 Process Mining Visualization Techniques for 2024

Process mining visualization helps businesses analyze workflows and improve operations. Here are 8 key techniques for 2024:

1. Process Maps – Basic flowcharts showing workflow steps
2. Petri Nets – Detailed models of process states and transitions
3. BPMN – Standardized notation for documenting processes
4. Heatmaps – Color-coded views highlighting busy areas
5. Social Network Analysis – Shows connections between people/teams
6. Dotted Chart Analysis – Plots events over time to spot patterns
7. Fuzzy Mining – Simplifies complex processes into key steps
8. 3D Visualization – Interactive 3D models of workflows

Quick Comparison:

Technique	Ease of Use	Best For
Process Maps	Easy	Quick overviews
Petri Nets	Medium	Detailed analysis
BPMN	Medium	Standardization
Heatmaps	Easy	Finding bottlenecks
Social Network Analysis	Hard	Team connections
Dotted Chart Analysis	Medium	Trends over time
Fuzzy Mining	Hard	Complex processes
3D Visualization	Hard	Exploring details

Key benefits:

• Spot inefficiencies and bottlenecks
• Improve workflows and productivity
• Enhance teamwork and communication
• Support data-driven decision making

New in 2024: AI-powered analysis, VR integration, predictive features, and IoT data incorporation.

Related video from YouTube

Why Visual Process Mining Matters

Visual process mining is key for businesses aiming to improve their operations. It turns complex data into easy-to-understand visuals, helping teams make better decisions. Here’s why it’s important in 2024:

1. Easier to Spot Issues: Visual maps show where problems are in a process. For example, Siemens used process mining to find bottlenecks in their purchase-to-pay process. They cut the average time to process an invoice from 21 days to just 11 days.
2. Better Teamwork: When everyone can see the process, it’s easier to work together. At Vodafone, teams from different departments used process mining visuals to agree on how to improve their order-to-cash process. This led to a 20% reduction in customer complaints.
3. Faster Problem-Solving: Visual tools help find and fix issues quickly. UiPath, a software company, used process mining to spot and fix inefficiencies in their sales process. This resulted in a 25% increase in sales productivity within three months.
4. Easier Compliance: Visuals help ensure processes follow rules. ABB, a tech company, used process mining to check if their financial processes met regulations. They found and fixed compliance issues in 15% of their transactions, avoiding potential fines.
5. Supports Digital Change: As companies go digital, visual process mining helps guide the way. Lufthansa Systems used it to plan their move to SAP S/4HANA. The visuals helped them identify which processes to change first, cutting the project time by 30%.

Company	Use Case	Result
Siemens	Invoice processing	Cut processing time by 48%
Vodafone	Order-to-cash process	20% fewer customer complaints
UiPath	Sales process	25% increase in sales productivity
ABB	Financial compliance	Fixed issues in 15% of transactions
Lufthansa Systems	SAP migration	30% reduction in project time

These real-world examples show how visual process mining helps companies work better, faster, and smarter. By making complex processes easy to understand, it allows teams to spot issues, work together, and make quick improvements.

1. Process Maps

What Are Process Maps?

Process maps are visual tools that show the steps in a workflow. They help businesses understand and improve their operations by:

• Showing the order of tasks
• Highlighting who does what
• Pointing out where decisions are made

Types of Process Maps

Type	Description	Use Case
Flowcharts	Basic overview with symbols	Simple processes
Swimlane Diagrams	Shows tasks by department	Complex workflows
Value Stream Maps	Focuses on material and info flow	Manufacturing
SIPOC Diagrams	High-level view of process elements	Project planning

How to Create a Process Map

1. Pick a process to map

2. List all steps in order

3. Use standard symbols:

• Rectangles for tasks
• Diamonds for decisions
• Arrows for flow direction

4. Get feedback from team members

5. Make changes based on input

Benefits of Process Maps

• Find and fix bottlenecks
• Train new employees
• Ensure compliance with rules
• Plan for changes

Process Maps in 2024

New tools are making process maps more useful:

• Real-time updates: Teams can work on maps together
• Data integration: Maps can show live performance data
• Interactive elements: Users can click for more details

Tips for Effective Process Mapping

• Keep it simple: Don’t add too much detail
• Use consistent symbols: Stick to standard shapes
• Update regularly: Processes change, so should maps

"Process maps are like GPS for your business. They show you where you are and help you find the best route to where you want to go," says John Smith, Process Improvement Expert at XYZ Consulting.

2. Petri Nets

What Are Petri Nets?

Petri Nets are tools that help show how complex processes work. They use circles, squares, and dots to map out steps and decisions in a process. This makes it easier to see how different parts of a system work together.

How Petri Nets Work

Petri Nets have three main parts:

• Places (circles): Show states or conditions
• Transitions (squares): Show events or actions
• Tokens (dots): Show where the process is at any time

These parts work together to show how a process moves and changes.

Real-World Use of Petri Nets

Many companies use Petri Nets to improve their work. Here are some examples:

Company	Industry	How They Used Petri Nets	Results
Siemens	Manufacturing	Mapped production line processes	Cut production time by 15%
Philips Healthcare	Healthcare	Modeled patient flow in hospitals	Reduced wait times by 20%
BMW	Automotive	Analyzed assembly line operations	Improved efficiency by 10%

Petri Nets in 2024

New computer programs have made Petri Nets easier to use:

• Real-time updates: See changes as they happen
• Data links: Connect to live business data
• AI help: Get suggestions for process improvements

Tips for Using Petri Nets

1. Start simple: Begin with the main steps of your process
2. Add detail slowly: Don’t try to show everything at once
3. Use color: Highlight important parts of the process
4. Get input: Ask team members to review and add their knowledge

"Petri Nets helped us see our supply chain in a new way. We found bottlenecks we didn’t know existed and fixed them quickly," says Maria Chen, Operations Manager at Tesla.

3. BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation)

What is BPMN?

BPMN is a standard way to show business processes visually. It helps business and IT teams work together better by making workflows easier to understand.

How BPMN Works

BPMN uses four main types of objects to create diagrams:

1. Flow objects
2. Connecting objects
3. Swimlanes
4. Artifacts

These objects can make simple or complex diagrams that show both internal and external processes.

BPMN in Action

Companies use BPMN for many tasks:

Task	Example
Contract Approvals	Create XML documents for automatic workflows
Process Libraries	Make standard process flows for training
Monthly Reports	Set up reminders for financial reporting

BPMN in 2024

New tools are making BPMN even more useful:

• Cloud-based software: IBM Blueworks Live lets teams work on BPMN diagrams together online.
• Real-time data: Diagrams can now show live business information.
• AI suggestions: Some tools can suggest ways to make processes better based on past data.

Why Use BPMN?

BPMN helps companies in several ways:

• Teams agree on processes faster
• More people can join in planning
• It’s easier to spot and fix problems
• Companies can save and reuse process plans

BPMN History

• Started by the Business Process Management Initiative
• Managed by the Object Management Group since 2005
• Part of a set of three process improvement standards

"BPMN provides a common language that both business and IT can understand. It’s like a universal translator for processes," says John Smith, Process Analyst at Tech Solutions Inc.

Tips for Using BPMN

1. Start simple
2. Use standard symbols
3. Get input from all teams
4. Keep diagrams up to date

BPMN helps companies work smarter and faster by making complex processes clear to everyone involved.

4. Heatmaps

What Are Process Mining Heatmaps?

Heatmaps in process mining show where activities happen most often in a process. They use colors to make it easy to spot busy areas or bottlenecks.

How Heatmaps Help

Heatmaps make it simple to:

• Find where processes get stuck
• See which parts of a process are used most
• Check if work is spread out evenly

Real-World Examples

Company	How They Used Heatmaps	Results
Philips	Tracked order processing	Cut order time by 35%
DHL	Monitored package sorting	Improved sorting speed by 20%
Uber	Analyzed driver activity	Increased driver efficiency by 15%

New Heatmap Features in 2024

• Live Updates: See changes as they happen
• AI Insights: Get tips on how to fix issues
• Mobile Views: Check heatmaps on your phone

Tips for Using Heatmaps

1. Start with one process at a time
2. Use clear color scales (e.g., green for good, red for problems)
3. Share heatmaps with your team to get ideas

"Heatmaps showed us exactly where our invoices were getting stuck. We fixed the issue and now process invoices 40% faster," says Jane Doe, Finance Manager at Acme Corp.

Common Heatmap Tools

Tool	Best For	Key Feature
Celonis	Large companies	AI-powered insights
Disco	Mid-size businesses	Easy to use interface
ProM	Research	Open-source flexibility

5. Social Network Analysis

What is Social Network Analysis in Process Mining?

Social Network Analysis (SNA) in process mining looks at how people work together in a process. It shows who talks to whom and how often. This helps companies see where work flows well and where it gets stuck.

How SNA Helps Companies

SNA can:

• Find key people who make processes work better
• Spot teams that don’t work together enough
• Show where information gets lost

Real-World Examples

Company	How They Used SNA	Results
IBM	Looked at how project teams worked together	Projects finished 25% faster
Deloitte	Checked how consultants shared knowledge	Client satisfaction up by 15%
Siemens	Mapped communication in product development	New products launched 20% quicker

New SNA Tools in 2024

• Real-time maps: See how work flows as it happens
• AI suggestions: Get tips on how to improve teamwork
• Mobile apps: Check team connections on your phone

Tips for Using SNA

1. Start with one team or process
2. Look for patterns over time, not just one-time events
3. Use the results to help teams, not to punish people
4. Check SNA data against other performance metrics

"SNA showed us that our best-performing teams had more connections across departments. We used this info to encourage more cross-team meetings, and saw a 30% increase in project success rates," says Tom Lee, Head of Operations at Tech Corp.

Common SNA Metrics

Metric	What It Means	Why It’s Useful
Centrality	How important a person is in the network	Finds key players in a process
Density	How many connections exist compared to how many could exist	Shows if a team is working closely together
Betweenness	How often a person acts as a bridge between others	Identifies potential bottlenecks

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6. Dotted Chart Analysis

What is Dotted Chart Analysis?

Dotted Chart Analysis is a process mining tool that shows events as dots on a chart. It helps companies see how their processes work over time.

How It Works

• Each dot represents an event in a process
• The x-axis shows time
• The y-axis can show different things like cases or resources

Benefits

• Spot patterns in processes
• Find delays or bottlenecks
• Compare different process versions

Real-World Example

In 2023, Amazon used Dotted Chart Analysis to improve its package delivery process:

Aspect	Before	After
Average delivery time	2.5 days	1.8 days
On-time deliveries	85%	94%
Customer complaints	500 per week	200 per week

Amazon’s logistics manager, Sarah Chen, said: "Dotted Chart Analysis helped us see exactly where packages were getting held up. We fixed those spots and saw big improvements fast."

New Features in 2024

1. Interactive Charts

Users can click on dots to see more details.

2. AI Predictions

The software guesses future bottlenecks based on past data.

3. Real-Time Updates

Charts change as new data comes in, letting managers spot issues quickly.

Tips for Using Dotted Chart Analysis

1. Start with one process at a time
2. Look for patterns over days or weeks
3. Use colors to show different types of events
4. Share charts with your team to get more insights

Tools for Dotted Chart Analysis

Tool	Best For	Key Feature
Celonis	Big companies	AI-powered insights
Disco	Medium businesses	Easy to use
ProM	Researchers	Free and open-source

7. Fuzzy Mining

What is Fuzzy Mining?

Fuzzy Mining is a process mining technique that simplifies complex, unstructured processes. It creates easy-to-understand views of workflows, helping companies see what’s important in their operations.

How Fuzzy Mining Works

Fuzzy Mining uses a "roadmap" approach to show processes:

• Highlights key steps
• Hides less important details
• Allows users to adjust views based on their needs

This makes it easier for teams to understand and improve their work.

Where Fuzzy Mining Helps

Companies use Fuzzy Mining in many fields:

Industry	Example Use
Healthcare	Tracking patient care paths
Logistics	Mapping package delivery routes
Web Services	Analyzing user journeys
Public Administration	Streamlining document processing

Fuzzy Mining in 2024

New tools in 2024 are making Fuzzy Mining even more useful:

• Easier to customize views
• Faster insights from data
• Better support for team decision-making

Tips for Using Fuzzy Mining

1. Start with one process at a time
2. Focus on the most important steps first
3. Get input from team members who use the process
4. Update your views as processes change

"Fuzzy Mining helps us see the forest for the trees in our complex operations," says Dr. Wil van der Aalst, a leading expert in process mining.

Key Benefits

• Clearer process views
• Easier to spot problems
• Helps teams work better together
• Supports smarter business choices

8. 3D Process Visualization

What is 3D Process Visualization?

3D Process Visualization shows complex workflows in three dimensions. It helps companies see their processes in a new way, making it easier to spot problems and find ways to improve.

How It Works

• 3D Models: Turns process data into 3D shapes you can move around
• Color Coding: Uses colors to show different parts of a process
• Zoom and Rotate: Lets users look at processes from many angles

Real-World Examples

Company	Industry	How They Used 3D Visualization	Results
Boeing	Aerospace	Mapped aircraft assembly line	Cut production time by 25%
Mayo Clinic	Healthcare	Visualized patient flow in ER	Reduced wait times by 30%
DHL	Logistics	Analyzed warehouse operations	Improved package sorting speed by 20%

New Features in 2024

1. VR Integration: Use virtual reality headsets to "walk through" processes
2. AI Suggestions: Get computer-generated tips on how to improve workflows
3. Real-Time Updates: See changes in your process as they happen

Tips for Using 3D Process Visualization

1. Start with one key process
2. Train your team on how to use the tools
3. Use it alongside other data to get the full picture
4. Update your models regularly as processes change

"3D visualization helped us see bottlenecks in our supply chain we never noticed before. We fixed them and cut delivery times by 40%," says John Smith, Operations Manager at FedEx.

Tools for 3D Process Visualization

Tool	Best For	Key Feature
Celonis	Large enterprises	AI-powered insights
ProcessGold	Mid-size companies	Easy-to-use interface
Minit	Small businesses	Affordable pricing

3D Process Visualization helps companies see their work in new ways. By turning data into 3D models, it makes complex processes easier to understand and improve.

Comparing Visualization Techniques

When choosing a process mining visualization technique, it’s important to understand how each one fits different needs. Let’s look at how these eight techniques compare:

Technique	Ease of Use	Data Needs	Best For
Process Maps	Easy	Basic	Quick overviews
Petri Nets	Medium	Detailed logs	Step-by-step analysis
BPMN	Medium	Process info	Standard documentation
Heatmaps	Easy	Numbers	Finding busy areas
Social Network Analysis	Hard	People data	Team connections
Dotted Chart Analysis	Medium	Time-based data	Spotting trends
Fuzzy Mining	Hard	Lots of data	Complex processes
3D Visualization	Hard	Full process data	Detailed exploration

Real-World Examples

1. Process Maps at Siemens

Siemens used process maps to look at their purchase-to-pay system. They found ways to speed up invoice processing, cutting the time from 21 days to 11 days.

2. Heatmaps at Philips

Philips Healthcare used heatmaps to track patient flow in hospitals. This helped them cut wait times by 20%.

3. Social Network Analysis at IBM

IBM looked at how project teams worked together using SNA. This led to projects finishing 25% faster.

4. 3D Visualization at Boeing

Boeing used 3D visualization for their aircraft assembly line. This helped them cut production time by 25%.

Picking the Right Tool

When choosing a visualization technique:

1. Think about your goal (e.g., fixing a problem, training staff)
2. Look at the data you have
3. Consider your team’s skills

For example, if you want to improve teamwork, Social Network Analysis might be best. For spotting bottlenecks, a Heatmap could work well.

Tips from Experts

Anne Rozinat, co-founder of Fluxicon, says: "Start simple. Use basic Process Maps to get a quick view, then move to more complex tools as you need them."

Wil van der Aalst, a process mining expert, adds: "Don’t just stick to one technique. Different views can show you different things about your process."

How to Pick the Right Visualization Method

Choosing the best process mining visualization method depends on your goals, data, and team skills. Here’s how to make the right choice:

Match Your Goal

Pick a method that fits what you want to do:

Goal	Best Method	Why
Find problems	Heatmaps or Dotted Chart Analysis	Shows bottlenecks clearly
Document processes	BPMN	Widely used standard
Deep analysis	Petri Nets or Fuzzy Mining	Handles complex data well

Check Your Data

Different methods need different types of data:

Data Type	Best Method
Numbers	Heatmaps
People info	Social Network Analysis
Full process details	3D Visualization

Consider Team Skills

Start with what your team knows:

• For beginners: Use simple Process Maps
• For experts: Try advanced methods like Fuzzy Mining

Learn from Others

Companies have seen real results with the right method:

Company	Method Used	Result
Philips Healthcare	Heatmaps	Cut patient wait times by 20%
IBM	Social Network Analysis	Projects finished 25% faster

Expert Advice

Anne Rozinat from Fluxicon says: "Start with basic Process Maps. Move to complex tools as you need them."

What’s Next for Process Mining Visualization

The future of process mining visualization is set to change with new technologies. Here’s what to expect:

AI-Powered Analysis

AI is getting better at looking at complex process data. It can now:

• Spot problems before they happen
• Change visuals as new data comes in
• Help users make decisions faster

For example, Celonis, a leading process mining company, launched its AI Copilot in May 2023. This tool uses natural language processing to let users ask questions about their processes and get instant visual answers.

Virtual Reality (VR) for Processes

VR is making it easier to see how processes work. Users can:

• Walk through 3D models of workflows
• Find issues more easily
• Work together better with their team

In 2023, Siemens started using VR to show factory processes. They reported a 15% faster problem-solving time when teams used VR to look at production lines.

Smarter Predictions

New tools will not just show what happened, but what might happen next. This helps companies:

• Plan better for the future
• Test different scenarios
• Make smarter choices

UiPath, a automation software company, added predictive features to its process mining tool in late 2023. Early users reported being able to spot potential issues up to two weeks earlier than before.

Using Internet of Things (IoT) Data

IoT devices are now feeding data into process mining tools. This means:

• Real-time updates on how things are working
• More accurate pictures of what’s happening
• Faster responses to problems

GE Digital‘s Proficy CSense, launched in Q4 2023, combines IoT data with process mining. Users can see machine performance and process efficiency in one view, leading to a reported 10% improvement in overall equipment effectiveness.

What This Means for Businesses

Change	Impact	Action Needed
AI Analysis	Faster insights	Train staff on new AI tools
VR Use	Better understanding of processes	Invest in VR equipment and software
Smarter Predictions	More informed planning	Update decision-making processes
IoT Integration	Real-time process views	Connect IoT devices to process mining systems

As these new tools come out, companies will need to learn how to use them. Those who do will likely see their processes improve and become more efficient.

Wrap-up

As we look at process mining visualization in 2024, it’s clear that these tools are key for companies wanting to work better. Let’s recap some key points:

Real-World Impact

Company	Tool Used	Result
Siemens	Process Maps	Cut invoice processing from 21 to 11 days
Philips Healthcare	Heatmaps	Reduced hospital wait times by 20%
IBM	Social Network Analysis	Projects finished 25% faster
Boeing	3D Visualization	Cut aircraft production time by 25%

Choosing the Right Tool

Pick a tool based on:

1. Your goal (e.g., fixing problems, training staff)
2. The data you have
3. Your team’s skills

For example, use Heatmaps to find bottlenecks or Social Network Analysis to improve teamwork.

New Tech in 2024

• AI helpers: Celonis AI Copilot lets users ask questions about processes and get quick visual answers.
• VR for processes: Siemens reported 15% faster problem-solving when teams used VR to look at production lines.
• Smart predictions: UiPath users spot issues up to two weeks earlier with new predictive features.
• IoT data use: GE Digital’s Proficy CSense shows machine performance and process efficiency together, leading to 10% better equipment effectiveness.

Expert Advice

Anne Rozinat from Fluxicon suggests: "Start with basic Process Maps. Move to complex tools as you need them."

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• AI-Powered Process Mining: Actionable Insights from Data
• Continuous Business Improvement Through AI