Why might analysts select "Least common variant" for examination?

Choosing "Least common variant" for examination is often a strategic decision by analysts to uncover hidden inefficiencies or areas that require improvement within a process. The least common variant represents the paths or sequences of activities that are not frequently observed in the process execution. By focusing on these less common paths, analysts can identify anomalies, bottlenecks, or inefficiencies that might otherwise go unnoticed when looking at more common variants.

This examination can reveal insights into variations that might indicate compliance issues, unnecessary complexity, or non-standard behaviors within processes. By understanding these rare cases, organizations can take targeted actions to refine and optimize their processes, ultimately leading to enhanced performance and improved outcomes.

In contrast, confirming process uniformity, defining the most effective activities, and tracking the highest case frequencies are typically more aligned with analyzing common, typical behaviors rather than exploring the less frequently observed variants that often hide critical issues. Thus, investigating the least common variant provides a valuable perspective for process improvement initiatives.