What is a temporal event in business processes?

A temporal event in business processes refers to a time-based event that can initiate various processes or evaluations. This type of event is often tied to specific points in time or time intervals, allowing businesses to automate processes or trigger assessments based on schedules. For example, a temporal event could be set to occur at the end of a financial quarter to generate reports, or it might initiate a notification after a certain period of inactivity. This concept is crucial for businesses that rely on timely responses and cyclical processes, as it enables them to efficiently manage workflows and ensure that actions are taken at appropriate times without manual intervention.

In contrast, while an event triggered by a specific user action focuses on interactions initiated by users, it does not have the time-based characteristic that defines temporal events. Additionally, unplanned events that impact workflow and random incidents affecting system performance pertain more to unexpected disruptions rather than structured, predictable occurrences tied to time schedules. These scenarios are different from how businesses strategically leverage temporal events to enhance their operational efficiency and responsiveness.