Title: Business process modelling using discrete-event simulation: current opportunities and future challenges

Authors: Vlatka Hlupic, Gert-Jan De Vreede

Addresses: Department of Information Systems and Computing, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK. ' Department of Information Systems, College of Information Systems and Technology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE, USA and Department of System Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Abstract: Competitive pressures and global business trends urge many organisations to radically change business processes. Although this can provide significant benefits such as reducing costs or improving efficiency, there are substantial risks associated with it. Using simulation for modelling and analysis of business processes can reduce that risk and increase the chance for success of business process reengineering projects. This paper investigates the potential of simulation to be used for business process modelling and discusses its main challenges and opportunities. Following a discussion on business process modelling methods and tools, the use of simulation modelling for evaluating alternative business process arrangements is investigated. Two examples of simulation models representing business processes are presented and discussed. Future trends and challenges in business process simulation are discussed and conclusions are drawn.

Keywords: discrete event simulation; business process modelling; business process simulation; business process strategies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2005.007115

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2005 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.72 - 81

Published online: 27 May 2005 *

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