In the context of process mining, what does 'discovery' refer to?

In the context of process mining, 'discovery' specifically refers to the act of building a process model solely from event log data. This approach allows analysts to extract insights and understand the actual processes as they occur in practice, rather than relying on theoretical models or assumptions made by experts. The value of this method lies in its ability to reveal the true workings of a process based on real-world data, which can help organizations identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or deviations from intended workflows.

The focus on using event logs ensures that the resulting process models are data-driven, providing a more accurate representation of the activities and flow within a given process. This differentiation is crucial because processes may not always align with expert opinions or preconceived notions, and understanding the actual flow enhances decision-making and process improvement initiatives.