A Framework to Detect Deviations During Process Enactment

People enacting processes deviate from the process definition for a variety of different reasons. These deviations may result in either negative or positive consequences for the organization involved. Detecting deviations as the process is being enacted provides an opportunity to determine not only the point in the process where the deviation occurred but a faster and more accurate diagnosis of any issues or problems and the rectification of such. We present a framework designed to detect deviations in enacting process "on the fly". The framework consists of a definition engine in which boundary values and process constraints are set, a monitoring engine which observes and records the process during enactment and a detection engine which compares observed values against the definition constraints and detects inconsistencies and deviations as they happen. The methods used are related to some of the work previously conducted in the process improvement and deviation detection domain, and brings these concepts together with our own ideas as a software tool. The developed model is demonstrated with a simulated process and the findings are evaluated.