Process science: the interdisciplinary study of socio-technical change
Jan vom Brocke, Wil M. P. van der Aalst, Nicholas Berente, Boudewijn van Dongen, Thomas Grisold, Waldemar Kremser, Jan Mendling, Brian T. Pentland, Maximilian Roeglinger, Michael Rosemann and Barbara Weber
This paper introduces and defines "Process science" as a new interdisciplinary field for studying socio-technical processes, which are the interactions between humans and digital technologies over time. It proposes a framework based on four key principles, leveraging digital trace data and advanced analytics to describe, explain, and ultimately intervene in how these processes unfold.
Problem
Many contemporary phenomena, from business operations to societal movements, are complex, dynamic processes rather than static entities. Traditional scientific approaches often fail to capture this continuous change, creating a gap in our ability to understand and influence the evolving world, especially in an era rich with digital data.
Outcome
- Defines Process Science as the interdisciplinary study of socio-technical processes, focusing on how coherent series of changes involving humans and technology occur over time. - Proposes four core principles for the field: (1) centering on socio-technical processes, (2) using scientific investigation, (3) embracing multiple disciplines, and (4) aiming to create real-world impact. - Emphasizes the use of digital trace data and advanced computational techniques, like process mining, to gain unprecedented insights into process dynamics. - Argues that the goal of Process Science is not only to observe and explain change but also to actively shape and intervene in processes to solve real-world problems.
Host: Welcome to A.I.S. Insights, powered by Living Knowledge. In a world of constant digital transformation, how do we make sense of the complex ways people and technology interact? Today, we’re diving into a foundational study titled "Process science: the interdisciplinary study of socio-technical change".
Host: This study introduces a new field called Process Science, designed to help us understand the dynamic interactions between humans and digital technologies over time. With me to break it all down is our analyst, Alex Ian Sutherland. Alex, welcome.
Expert: Thanks for having me, Anna.
Host: So, Alex, let’s start with the big picture. Why do we need a whole new field of science? What’s the problem this study is trying to solve?
Expert: The core problem is that we often view the world in snapshots. We think of a company, a project, or even a customer journey as a static thing. But reality isn’t static—it’s a continuous flow of events. Think about globalization, or the recent rise of Generative AI. These aren't single events; they are ongoing, evolving processes.
Host: And our traditional ways of looking at them fall short?
Expert: Exactly. Traditional approaches are often too rigid to capture that constant change. The study argues that this creates a major blind spot. In an era where everything leaves a digital footprint, we have the data to see these processes unfold, but we've lacked a unified framework to actually study them effectively.
Host: So how does Process Science propose we do that? What’s the approach here?
Expert: The approach is to focus on what the study calls "digital trace data." These are the digital breadcrumbs we all leave behind—every click, every system log, every timestamped action in a company's software. Process Science uses advanced computational techniques, like process mining, to analyze these trillions of data points.
Host: And "process mining" is essentially looking for patterns in that data?
Expert: Precisely. It allows us to reconstruct how a process *actually* happens, not just how it’s drawn on a flowchart. It’s about moving from a static blueprint to a dynamic, living movie of our business and social activities.
Host: That makes sense. So, what are the core findings or principles that this new field is built on?
Expert: The study lays out four key principles. First, the absolute focus is on the "socio-technical process" itself—that blend of human behavior and technology. Second, it must be investigated with scientific rigor.
Host: And the last two?
Expert: Third, it has to be interdisciplinary. It pulls from computer science, sociology, management studies, and more, because no single field has all the answers. And fourth, and this is crucial, the goal is to create real-world impact. Process Science isn't just about observing and explaining change; it's about actively shaping it.
Host: Actively shaping it... that sounds like the key business takeaway. Let's dig into that. Alex, why does this matter for a business leader listening today?
Expert: It matters immensely. This approach provides a powerful new lens for understanding and improving almost any part of a business. For example, instead of guessing where your sales funnel is breaking down, you can analyze the digital traces to see the exact point where customers hesitate or drop off.
Host: So it's about making operations more visible and efficient.
Expert: Yes, but it goes deeper. It helps you manage complex organizational change. When you roll out a new software system or a new AI tool, you can track in near real-time how employees are *actually* adopting it, what workarounds they're creating, and where the real friction points are. This allows for data-driven adjustments instead of relying on anecdotes.
Host: It sounds like it shifts a business from being reactive to proactive.
Expert: That's the ultimate goal. The study emphasizes moving from just describing a process to explaining why it happens and, finally, to intervening to make it better. It gives leaders the tools to not just react to problems but to anticipate them and design better, more resilient processes from the start.
Host: A fascinating and powerful concept. So, to sum up, we're moving from a static view of the world to a dynamic, process-oriented one.
Host: And by studying the digital traces left by the interaction of people and technology, Process Science gives businesses a powerful new toolkit to optimize operations, better understand their customers, and more effectively manage change.
Host: Alex, thank you for making such a complex topic so clear and actionable for our audience.
Expert: My pleasure, Anna.
Host: And thanks to all of you for tuning in to A.I.S. Insights, powered by Living Knowledge. Join us next time as we translate another key study into business intelligence.
Process science, Socio-technical processes, Digital trace data, Interdisciplinary research, Process mining, Change management, Computational social science
