From process to simulation - A transformation model approach

Abstract

Process models are frequently used to visualise, analyse and control the flow of work in business processes. In principle, the information contained in process models could be used to simulate and optimise business processes with the help of simulation software. However, business process models are created for other purposes than simulation and, therefore, normally do not contain enough information to directly execute simulation studies using them. A process model first has to be converted to a simulation model which holds different information necessary for the simulation. In this paper, a transformation approach is presented which can be used to convert process models based on the event-driven process chain (EPC) notation to different simulation software systems.