6 process intelligence trends to watch in 2025

The rapid evolution of business process management (BPM) technologies continues to redefine how companies operate, with process intelligence taking center stage. From operational efficiency to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) integrations, 2025 is shaping up to be a significant year for enterprises leveraging process intelligence.

Here are the six trends every business leader, data analyst and tech enthusiast should be watching closely.

1. Operational efficiency becomes essential

The era of unchecked growth at all costs is behind us. Instead, 2025 will see a laser focus on operational excellence (OPEX) as a pillar of survival and competitiveness. Technologies like process intelligence provide vital insights to streamline workflows, eliminate inefficiencies and grow profitably. Achieving operational efficiency will no longer be a secondary consideration but a business-critical objective for companies aiming to achieve profitable growth.

2. A renaissance in BPM

AI’s growing influence has brought BPM back into the spotlight, triggering a golden age reminiscent of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) revolution in the 1990s. The adoption of generative AI has driven executives to reassess workflows to ensure efficiency. Whether scaling AI-powered solutions or overcoming outdated procedures, businesses are increasingly turning to BPM. Process discovery, analysis and redesign will be integral to operationalizing the latest AI applications effectively.

3. The rise of process digital twins

Virtual models of business processes – known as process digital twins – will gain significant traction in 2025. These models allow businesses to simulate operational changes in a no-risk environment, enabling faster and more cost-effective decision-making. Real-time optimization through process digital twins helps uncover inefficiencies, predict outcomes and improve workflows, making them a game-changer for businesses focused on agility and productivity.

4. The combined power of process mining and task mining

The year 2025 will dispel the myth that businesses must choose between process mining and task mining. These two technologies tackle different, but complementary, layers of operational analysis:

• Process mining reveals what happens across complex, end-to-end processes, offering a top-down perspective of high-level operations.
• Task mining details how specific tasks occur at the user interface level, providing granular insights into how work gets done.

Combining these technologies gives businesses a 360-degree view of operations to drive transformation and innovation. When a company can understand exactly how its processes work, it finally has the fuel to improve them. Together, process mining and task mining enable companies to become truly data-driven and uncover opportunities for improvement.

5. Navigating the deterministic versus agentic automation divide

While agentic automation – AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making – captures imagination, deterministic automation will continue to dominate. At least 95 percent of automations deployed in 2025 are expected to be deterministic, delivering consistency and reliability for process execution. However, agentic automation will expand its use cases, especially in dynamic industries requiring adaptability. Businesses will need to carefully weigh the ethical and regulatory challenges posed by agentic systems to harness their potential responsibly.

6. Trust and governance in AI integration

With over 1,000 AI-related regulatory initiatives underway globally, trust and transparency will be top priorities for 2025. Companies must adopt ethical AI practices and commit to principles like privacy-by-design and Zero Trust to meet regulatory compliance and build strong, trustworthy relationships with stakeholders. Designing responsible AI and adhering to governance frameworks won’t just be a compliance measure – it will also be critical for long-term business growth and reputation management.

Final thoughts

Process intelligence is no longer just a technical concept but a strategic driver of business success for automation and transformation leaders. To thrive in 2025, companies must harness the power of advanced technologies like process mining, task mining, AI-driven BPM, process digital twins and process simulation, while ensuring ethical AI governance and OPEX.

Are you ready to stay ahead of the curve? Implementing these trends in your business practices will put you on the path to sustainable success and drive competitive advantage.