With the fast pace of the modern digital world, companies want to work smarter and faster. To do so, they need to have an exact understanding of how their business processes are functioning day in and day out. But with so many systems and individuals involved, that’s not simple. That’s where a new technology comes into play – Digital Process Twins. It’s almost like developing a live map of your company that gets updated in real-time.
Thanks to process mining, businesses can now see what’s actually occurring within their operations. Not only what’s intended to occur, but what does occur. And that makes a significant difference. Imagine it as GPS for your business processes.
In this blog, let’s explore how Digital Process Twins work, how they help create real change, and why combining them with tools like process mapping and process discovery is the key to success.
What Is a Digital Process Twin?
A Digital Process Twin is a virtual version of a real business process. It shows how a process runs by using data collected from your systems. This “twin” is not static – it updates automatically whenever the process changes.
Imagine it this way: just as aviators utilize flight simulators to pilot-flight scenarios, business teams utilize process twins to pilot-work closely through trial and refinement of work done. This assists in identifying issues, eliminating delays, and deciding on sounder choices.
How Does Process Mining Help?
Process mining is the technology used to develop these Digital Process Twins. It does it by fetching data from your software systems – like ERP, CRM, or HR systems – and converting it into a visual flow of processes.
Imagine having the ability to view every transaction of a purchase order, from the minute it’s ordered to the minute it’s paid. You can see the slowdowns, identify where the breakdowns are, and correct them.
Process mining also gives you metrics. For example, how long a task takes, how many times a process is repeated, or where the bottlenecks are. This helps teams make smart decisions based on facts, not guesses.
Process Mapping vs Process Discovery vs Process Mining
Let’s clear up some confusion around terms. People often mix up process mapping, process discovery, and process mining. While they are all related, they are not the same.
- Process Mapping: This is a manual activity where people draw out how a process is supposed to work. It’s useful for planning or training.
- Process Discovery: This involves finding out how a process happens. It can be manual or use automation tools to create basic maps.
- Process Mining: This uses system data to create a real-time, detailed view of how the process works – step-by-step, with timestamps, across all users and systems.
Process mining vs process discovery is a debating topic. Process Discovery gives you the start of an idea. But mining gives you the full truth, including things humans might miss.
To create a Digital Process Twin, you need process mining. It’s the engine that powers your living, breathing process map.
Why Digital Process Twins Are a Game Changer
Before digital twins, companies had to guess how their processes worked. Managers would ask teams, read reports, or hold meetings. But these steps are slow and often don’t reflect reality.
With Digital Process Twins:
- You see what’s happening right now
- You can compare actual performance to planned performance
- You find where work is stuck or repeated
- You test improvements before applying them
- You stay compliant with rules and regulations
This is especially helpful in industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, where even small mistakes can be costly.
Real-Time Visibility = Real-Time Improvement
When businesses use Digital Process Twins, they don’t have to wait weeks or months to find problems. They can see them as they happen. That means they can fix issues faster and keep work flowing smoothly.
For example, a hospital using process mining may find that patient records are getting delayed at one stage. By fixing this, doctors get information faster and patient care improves. That’s the real value of seeing a live map of your processes.
Boosting Automation and AI with Better Data
Digital Process Twins don’t just help people – they also help machines. If your company is using automation tools or AI, then having accurate, up-to-date process maps makes those tools smarter.
Robots and software bots need to know what to do and when. If they follow an outdated or broken process, they might make mistakes. But with a Digital Process Twin, they always have the right instructions. That leads to better results with fewer errors.
Staying Compliant in Regulated Industries
Many businesses operate in regulated industries like banking, insurance, or pharmaceuticals. These fields have strict rules. If companies don’t follow them, they can face big fines or lose trust.
A Digital Process Twin helps these companies stay compliant. Because it shows what’s happening, it becomes easy to prove that rules are being followed. And if something has gone wrong, the twin indicates just where and when it has occurred.
It’s like having a security camera on your whole process – constantly watching, recording.
Making People’s Jobs Easier
One of the best things about Digital Process Twins is how they help people do their jobs better. Team members no longer have to guess where delays are coming from. They don’t have to check dozens of systems to find answers.
The twin shows everything in one place. It speeds up meetings, makes decisions smarter, and makes work more rewarding. When individuals know how their job is part of the larger picture, they feel more valued and more in control.
Where to Start with Digital Process Twins
If your business is new to process mining, start small. Pick one process – like order-to-cash or employee onboarding – and build your first digital twin. Use the data you already have. Look at the insights. Fix a few things.
As you get comfortable, expand to more processes. You’ll start to see how everything connects. And soon, you’ll have a living map of your entire business.
Conclusion
Digital Process Twins are not just a fancy tech trend – they’re the future of business operations. They give you a full view of your processes, help you spot problems early, and make smarter decisions faster.
With process mining, you’re not guessing anymore. You’re seeing your business as it truly is, not as you think it is. And when you combine this with process mapping and process discovery, you unlock a whole new level of insight and control.
So if you want to improve how your business runs, reduce mistakes, stay compliant, and make your team happier, it’s time to build your Digital Process Twin.
Because when you can see everything clearly, you can improve anything confidently.
