Process Mining is Blind Without Task Mining

Think of your business process like a movie. Process mining is like watching the trailer — it gives you the big idea. But task mining is the full film — it shows you everything behind the scenes. To truly understand what’s going wrong (or right), you need both views.

In this blog, we’ll explore these tools, how they’re different, and why combining them leads to better decisions and real improvements. Let’s break it down in a simple, conversational way.

What Is Process Mining?

Process mining looks at the big picture. It takes data from business systems (like CRMs, ERPs, or HR software) and creates a visual map of how processes flow. Think of it as a bird’s-eye view of how things are done in a company.

For example, if you work in a company that handles customer orders, process mining can show how those orders move from one department to another, from order received to delivery.

It answers questions like:

• How long does each step take?
• Where are the delays?
• Are there any steps being skipped?

But here’s the catch — process mining only tells you what is happening and where. It doesn’t show you how tasks are performed on an employee’s screen.

What Is Task Mining?

Now imagine zooming in from the bird’s-eye view to a close-up. Task mining shows you what users do on their computers.

It watches screen activities like:

• Clicking through apps
• Typing in forms
• Copying and pasting data
• Opening and closing windows

It’s like watching someone work and taking notes — but done by smart software, not a human.

So while process mining says, “This is where the delay is,” task mining says, “This is what’s causing it — maybe too many clicks or switching between tools.”

Task Mining vs Process Mining — What’s the Difference?

Recognizing how work is accomplished in any organization involves observing it from several different points of view. That’s where Task Mining vs Process Mining comes into play. Both improve business processes, but on different levels of work. Process mining would be equivalent to observing the whole road system, while task mining observes how every driver covers the journey. To truly enhance efficiency, businesses must know not only

what’s occurring but also how it’s occurring. Let’s analyze how these two methods differ and why they’re both necessary.

Why Using Only Process Mining Isn’t Enough

Let’s go back to the puzzle example. If you only use process mining, you’ll miss out on many smaller issues that slow down work. Here’s why:

1. Hidden Productivity Gaps

Process mining might show that invoice approvals take too long. But without task mining, you won’t know that employees are switching between five apps just to approve one invoice.

2. Missed Automation Opportunities

You can’t automate what you can’t see. Task mining shows which parts of a task are repetitive and perfect for automation — like copying data from one screen to another.

3. No View into Human Effort

Some problems aren’t about systems but about how people work with them. Task mining helps reveal things like confusing software interfaces or too many manual entries.

Why You Need Both Together

When you combine process mining and task mining, you get a full 360-degree view of your operations. Here’s what that means:

• Process mining finds where things are slow.
• Task mining explains why it’s slow.

Let’s take a real-life example:

In a customer support team:

• Process mining shows that it takes too long to close support tickets.
• Task mining reveals that agents are switching between five different systems to find customer data.

Together, this insight helps the company decide to integrate those systems or create shortcuts — saving time and effort.

Key Benefits of Using Both

1. Better Automation Decisions

Combining both helps identify what should be automated and how. This means no more guessing or wasting money on the wrong automation projects.

2. Boosted Employee Productivity

When repetitive tasks are automated, employees can focus on meaningful work. Plus, task mining can highlight where they struggle and where they need better tools or training.

3. Faster Process Improvement

Process mining alone shows problems. Task mining provides the solutions. Together, they create a fast track to improvement.

4. Improved Compliance

In regulated industries, following the rules is critical. Process and task mining together help ensure every step — big and small — is done correctly.

Use Cases in Regulated Industries

Healthcare

• Process mining can map how patient records are handled.
• Task mining shows how nurses and staff enter data — helping reduce errors and speed up work.

Banking

• Process mining tracks the full journey of a loan application.
• Task mining finds where employees slow down — maybe they’re manually checking too many fields.

Insurance

• Both tools help streamline claims processing and improve customer service while staying compliant.

How to Get Started

Starting with both tools is easier than it sounds:

1. Begin with process mining. It gives the big picture.
2. Zoom in with task mining. This adds the detailed view.
3. Find patterns. Use insights to fix bottlenecks.
4. Take action. Automate, retrain, or redesign your workflows.
5. Keep improving. As systems and people change, use mining to keep things smooth.

Final Thoughts

Process mining and task mining are like two sides of the same coin. Alone, each gives you partial insight. But together, they uncover the whole truth — how work happens and how to make it better.

In today’s fast-paced, rule-heavy industries, companies can’t afford to guess. They need clarity, speed, and smart decisions. That’s why the combo of these tools is so powerful.

Think of it this way: process mining shows you the map. Task mining hands you the magnifying glass. With both, you’re ready to find your way, fix what’s broken, and build better ways of working.

So if your organisation is serious about real, lasting improvement, don’t choose between them. Use them together — and get ready for big results.