Adaptive Process Simplification and Conformance Checking in Event Logs

Abstract

In this paper, we used two classes of process mining techniques (i.e., Discovery and Conformance Analysis) in order to discover models and organizational structures related to the handling of proceedings’ peer reviews in an international conference in Thailand. We monitored the deviations, comparing the observed events (real-life data) with the predefined models, as well. Knowing that ProM plugins receive the input logs only in MXML (Mining eXtensible Markup Language) and XES (eXtensible Event Stream) formats, we chose ProMimport as a framework to extract MXML log from an event log consisted of 87 cases (papers) and 3267 events. Alpha (α) Algorithm, Heuristic, Fuzzy and Social Network mining techniques (from Discovery class) were applied to automatically construct the proceedings’ review models, primarily without any priori model. Though the Heuristic Miner closely followed the Alpha algorithm, the technique had the privilege to derive XOR and AND connectors from dependency relations of the event log. Next, the actual process behavior was projected onto fuzzy models. The result was an animation movie coming up with a better understanding of what has occurred in reality. Also, using Social Network Miner technique we could analyze the organizational perspective of the peer review process in terms of three metrics, namely as: (a) Handover of Work, (b) Working Together, and (c) Similar Tasks. Alternatively, having a priori model for review of the proceedings, we used LTL Checker and Performance Analysis techniques (from Conformance Checker class) to identify discrepancies between the log and the pre-defined model. After applying the LTL checking approach, the deviations were detected — leading to enrich the real model. In addition, Performance Analysis technique made us capable of projecting the bottlenecks all through the peer review system. In general, one of the main benefits of the techniques used in this paper is that information is objectively compiled. To say simple, we gathered valuable information about what actually was happening according to the review process of the papers and existing bottlenecks, and not what we just thought or expected to see happening in the event log. Considering the results of the study, conference committee chairs can better evaluate the performance of the involving reviewers (as well as team members) within the assigned tasks. This will improve the performance, efficiency and effectiveness of the handling of reviews for prospective academic/educational conferences.