What Is Conformance Checking?

Ensuring Process Compliance through Consistency Checks

Conformance checking is a method that aims to compare the actual workflows of business processes with defined reference models. These reference models represent idealized, optimized, or predefined workflows that should be followed in an organization. The goal of conformance checking is to identify deviations that indicate inefficient practices, errors, or potential opportunities for improvement.

Conformance Checking—What Is It?

How Does Conformance Checking Work?

1. Creation of the Reference Model:

At the start of the conformance checking process, a reference model must be available that represents the ideal or desired process flow. This model is often based on best practices, regulatory requirements, or internal company standards.

2. Collection of Actual Processes:

With the help of Process Discovery, the actual processes as they occur in reality are extracted from the system data and visualized. These actual processes may differ from the documented processes.

3. Comparison of Actual and Target Processes:

In conformance checking, the recorded actual processes are compared with the reference models. Special algorithms and tools are used for this purpose, which are capable of detecting and classifying deviations.

4. Identification of Deviations

The comparison reveals differences between the actual and ideal processes. These deviations can have various causes, such as:

Unnecessary process steps: Steps that are not provided for in the reference model and may impair efficiency.

Missing process steps: Steps that are provided for in the reference model but were not carried out in practice.

Sequence deviations: Differences in the sequence of process steps.
Rule violations: Processes that violate internal or external rules or standards.

5. Analysis and Interpretation:

The identified deviations are analyzed to understand their causes. It may turn out that certain deviations are justified or even beneficial, while others indicate problems that need to be addressed.

6. Optimization:

Based on the results of the conformance checking, measures for process optimization can be taken. This may include adapting the reference model, training employees, or introducing new technologies for process automation.

Why Is Conformance Checking Important?

Conformance checking is an indispensable tool for ensuring process compliance and guaranteeing that a company’s operational processes run efficiently and in accordance with regulations. It enables companies to continuously monitor and improve their processes, which is particularly important in highly regulated industries.

Regular conformance checking enables companies to:

Ensure quality by making sure that processes meet established standards.

Minimize compliance risks by identifying violations of legal requirements at an early stage.

Identify efficiency potential by uncovering unnecessary or inefficient process steps.

Increase customer satisfaction by ensuring that processes run smoothly and consistently.

3. Conclusion

Conformance checking is an essential step in process optimization that is performed after process discovery. It enables companies to identify discrepancies between actual and ideal processes and initiate appropriate corrective measures. In a world where efficiency and compliance are crucial, conformance checking offers a valuable opportunity to continuously improve processes and ensure compliance with standards. Companies that use this method are better equipped to succeed in a competitive and regulated environment.