Method for the analysis of processes

A computer-implemented method for storage and analysis of process data, wherein the process data is generated by executing real processes, wherein the real processes are carried out with the help of one or more IT systems, wherein the process instances of the real processes leave data trails as process data in the IT systems, wherein the method comprises:

• storing the process data according to a predetermined data structure as process protocol in a storage means of a computer system, wherein the storage means is coupled to a processor of the computer system operatively,
• wherein the process data comprise a number of process instances,
• wherein each process instance comprises a number of process steps, and
• wherein the predetermined data structure comprises at least:
• a first attribute, in which a unique identification of the process instance of the respective process step is stored;
• a second attribute, in which an identification of the respective process step is stored;
• and
• a third attribute, in which the sequence of the process steps within a process instance is stored;
• wherein the process steps belonging to a process are sorted according to the third attribute within the data structure and stored in the storage means at adjacent addresses;
• wherein the method further comprises:
• receiving, by the computer system, an APE statement (Advanced Process Algebra Execution), wherein the APE statement defines a query of process instances from the storage means, and wherein the APE statement comprises at least one process operator;
• executing, by the processor, the APE statement and reading the process instances according to the APE statement from the storage means, wherein during reading the process instances from the storage means, processes are reconstructed from the process, steps belonging to the process instances;
• wherein during processing of the process instances according to the process operator, the process operator is applied to the reconstructed processes, and
• wherein during execution of the at least one process operator, a predetermined program code is executed, wherein the program code is provided to the processor or is generated, prior to the execution of the process operator, by the processor, and
• providing the result of the execute statement for further processing.