Oklahoma Pioneers Process Intelligence, Uncovering $3 Billion in Hidden Expenses

The State of Oklahoma implemented a process intelligence engine to track transactions and spending across its agencies, following a legislative report in April 2023 that revealed $3 billion in unaccounted expenses. The state became the first in the U.S. to apply process intelligence technology for procurement oversight, leveraging the platform from market-leader Celonis. According to Janet Morrow, Director of Oklahoma's Risk, Assessment and Compliance Division, the transformation was immediate, with real-time monitoring replacing multi-year audit cycles. Morrow credits the platform with identifying over 10 million instances of inappropriate spending, allowing the oversight team to redeploy staff from 13 to 5 members while increasing effectiveness. The team's new focus on proactive monitoring has significantly reduced the need for time-consuming audits. "The platform from Celonis has been a game-changer for us," Morrow said. "We can now track every decision, dollar, and delay in real-time, giving us the visibility and control we need to make informed decisions." The Oklahoma case study highlights an emerging global trend in the public sector, where process intelligence technology is being used to drive progress and improve governance. At Celosphere, the annual conference hosted by Celonis, more than 3,000 leaders gathered to explore the potential of AI-powered process intelligence to deliver commercial returns, environmental benefits, and social impact. Morrow was among the attendees, sharing Oklahoma's experiences and insights with the global audience. Process intelligence, or PI, is a technology that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze and optimize business processes. By applying PI to procurement oversight, Oklahoma has been able to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement, leading to significant cost savings and improved governance. Celonis' platform, in particular, has been designed to provide real-time visibility and control over business processes, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions and drive progress. The success of Oklahoma's initiative has sparked interest in process intelligence technology across the public sector. As governments and organizations continue to grapple with complex challenges and limited resources, the potential of PI to drive progress and improve governance is becoming increasingly clear. With Celonis at the forefront of this movement, the future of process intelligence looks bright, with many more organizations poised to follow in Oklahoma's footsteps. In the next phase of its initiative, Oklahoma plans to expand the use of process intelligence technology to other areas of government, including healthcare and education. Morrow and her team are working closely with Celonis to develop customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each agency and department. As the state continues to leverage the power of process intelligence, it is likely to serve as a model for other governments and organizations seeking to drive progress and improve governance through technology.