Criteria for the Evaluation of Business Process Simulation Tools

Abstract

This paper focuses on a process of simulation software packages selection in the context of business process change projects. The paper presents discrete event simulation, its relation to business process modelling and examples of its practical applications in business process change projects. Features of business process simulation tools are examined, the most important simulation features are identified and the criteria for their evaluation are defined. The guidelines that could help managers in the selection of business process simulation tools are proposed. The discussion addresses the limitations of the proposed guidelines. Finally, based on the conducted research and the evaluation criteria defined within the guidelines, some directions for the further improvement of business process simulation tools are given.

Comparison of discrete event simulation tools in an academic environment

“…For example, Pidd [10] writes: "computer simulation is one of the success stories of operational research" and Hlupić [5] states that there indeed could exist different strategies for achieving performance improvement and operating costs reduction, and investigation of these strategies is well facilitated by simulation. A similar remark was made by Bosilj-Vukšić et al [2], who investigate business process modeling and related evaluations and emphasize that a method chosen for business process modeling "should enable process evaluation and selection of alternatives" and in regard to that, simulation of discrete events should be considered as an appropriate method. In a similar note, Gupta et al [4] state that simulation is a powerful tool that enables business process designers to visualize a new system and to quantify and observe behaviors of real systems.…”

“…Bradley et al [3] (in [9]) listed several categories in order to "evaluate business process re-engineering software tools": (i) Tool capabilities, (ii) Tool hardware and software, (iii) Tool documentation, (iv) User features, (v) Modeling capabilities, (vi) Simulation capabilities, (vii) Output analysis and BPR expertise. Bosilj-Vukšić et al [2] formed an evaluation model consisting of four main groups of categories and several sub-categories: (i) Hardware and software considerations (encompassing: coding aspects, software compatibility, user support, financial and technical features, pedigree), (ii) Modeling capabilities (with: general features, modeling assistance), (iii) Simulation capabilities (through: visual aspects, efficiency, testability, experimentation facilities, statistical facilities), and (iv) Input/output issues (listing: input and output capabilities, analysis capabilities). Verma and Gupta [11] use the same four categories to evaluate software tools in their research.…”

“…Here we provide an overview of the chosen models and explain how they are combined to fit in the new research model. Bosilj-Vukšić et al [2] based their model on a framework developed by Hlupić et al [6] and adapted it to the domain of business process modeling software. The adaptation is important for the context of our research in regard to the modeled process's characteristics.…”

“…Presented in [2] Model 2 Presented in [3], [9] Proposed research model What is common for both models is the division into three main categories of software evaluation criteria: modeling capabilities, simulation capabilities and output analysis. Within these categories, sub-category criteria are formed based on the original models or added as new items.…”

Selecting software tools for IS/IT curricula

“…Min (1992) looks at the purchase of logistics software. Bosilj-Vuksic et al (2007), Davis and Williams (1994), and Nikoukaran et al (1998) consider the process of simulation software package selection by businesses. Literature by Baki and Çakar (2005), Güngör ŞEN and Baraçli (2006), and Teltumbde (2000) provide a small sample of the studies that deal with ERP selection.…”