In Process Mining, a variant represents a unique sequence of activities performed in a process, as derived from event log data. The SAP Signavio Process Intelligence Documentation clearly defines this concept:
* Exact Extract:"A process variant is a unique sequence of activities (events) that a set of cases follows.
Each variant represents a distinct path through the process, and Process Mining tools like the Variant Explorer Widget identify and visualize these paths to show how processes are executed in reality." (SAP Signavio Process Intelligence User Guide, section on "Process Variants and Variant Explorer").
* Explanation:
* Option D (A variant is a set of cases with the same sequence of events):This is correct because a variant groups all cases that follow the identical sequence of activities, allowing analysts to identify common or deviant process paths. For example, in an order-to-cash process, one variant might include "Order Created # Order Confirmed # Shipped," while another might include an additional "Order Revised" step.
* Option A (A variant is a digital footprint of system-based events)is incorrect because the digital footprint refers to the event log as a whole, not a specific variant. Variants are derived from this footprint during analysis.
* Option B (A variant visualizes all tasks to complete the process)is incorrect as variants show specific sequences, not all possible tasks. The Process Discovery Widget visualizes the overall process, not individual variants.
* Option C (A variant backtracks the process flow)is incorrect because backtracking is a function of widgets like Process Discovery, not the definition of a variant.
Reference:SAP Signavio Process Intelligence User Guide, section on "Process Variants and Variant Explorer"; SAP Certified Associate - Process Data Analyst Study Guide, Chapter 5: Process Mining Concepts.