Conformance checking

What is conformance checking?

Conformance checking compares observed event-log behaviour with a target model, procedure or rule set. It identifies missing or additional events, different sequences and time-rule violations.

Reference and boundary

The reference may be BPMN, a Petri net, a work instruction, an approval rule or a quality plan. Model and data must share the same boundary, activity meaning and granularity.

A deviation is not automatically an error

It can indicate a violation, legitimate exception, incomplete posting or outdated target model. Findings are therefore segmented by frequency, impact, context and data quality.

Quality dimensions

Application: process-mining consulting.

Applying Conformance checking in a project

Conformance checking needs a valid business reference and an interpretation of whether deviations are violations, permitted exceptions or data gaps.

Before applying Conformance checking, define the objective, system boundary and decision to be supported. The distinction from adjacent methods and systems is equally important: which processes are included, which interfaces remain outside the scope and which metrics indicate an improvement? This prevents a term from becoming a label and avoids local optimisation that creates new problems elsewhere.

A reliable assessment of Conformance checking combines current-state data with documented assumptions. Sources, reference periods, units and exceptions need to be transparent. Alternatives or measures can then be compared using consistent criteria. Depending on the task, these include performance and cost as well as space, inventory, ergonomics, quality, feasibility, risk and expandability.

The output from applying Conformance checking should support a concrete decision or a verifiable next step. Ownership, a target value and a review date make the expected effect measurable. To transfer the concept to a real assignment, connect it with the relevant consulting, planning, optimisation and digital capture services.