In Process Mining, what does the term "event log" refer to?

The term "event log" in the context of Process Mining specifically refers to a record of events within a process. This log captures discrete events that occur during the execution of business processes, providing a detailed account of activities, such as when a task started and ended, the resources involved, and any additional context relevant to those events.

Event logs are essential for process analysis because they serve as the foundational data from which insights are derived. By analyzing these logs, organizations can visualize their processes, identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies, and optimize operations. The structured nature of an event log typically includes timestamps, case identifiers, activity names, and possibly the status of the process, all of which are critical for accurate process mining.

The other options listed do not align with the established definition of an event log. A document detailing company policies pertains more to governance rather than specific process execution. A summary of financial reports relates to financial metrics rather than process activities, while a log of employee attendance tracks personnel presence, which is unrelated to process mapping or analysis.