Simulation of IDEF3 Process Models, BPMN, and Process Charts is provided in System Architect using Lanner’s WITNESS simulation tool as the engine. You can specify simulation parameters in a context diagram and child sub-diagrams, and then simulate the overall Process Model in a “lite” version of Lanner’s WITNESS product called SAViewer. The SAViewer window provides graphical animation of the simulation, as well as reporting features and some user interaction capabilities (but not all those provided in the full version of WITNESS).
System Architect Simulator provides the following key features:
•You can simulate IDEF3 Process Flow, BPMN, Process Chart diagrams, and child sub-diagrams, so that an overall hierarchical process flow model can be simulated.
•All simulation properties are specified in the System Architect user interface. The System Architect user interface has been upgraded to change the properties shown on dialogs in real-time based on selections that you make. For example, if you specify that a Unit of Behavior is of type Event, then the properties shown in the dialog change accordingly.
•System Architect Simulator provides “dashboard” reporting that provides summary statistics and graphs including Sigma ratings, profit calculations, and cycle times.
•Reports can be saved to MS Excel and compared to subsequent simulation runs.
•An “Optimizer” facility, available as an add-on to SAViewer, enables you to automatically calculate optimum process parameters
Introduction to simulation
Process simulation provides a graphic representation of processes, people, and technology in a dynamic computer model. A model, when simulated, mimics the operations of the business, by stepping through the events in compressed time while displaying an animated picture of the flow.
You must create one or more `tokens' that will pass through a business process flow diagram. A token might represent a reservation request in a reservation system, an unwashed car in a car wash, and so forth.
You can specify and simulate how much gross revenue you get from a process, how much it costs, and what net revenue is. You specify revenues in Objects that pass through the process. You can specify cost in several places: on the objects themselves, on the processes, and on the Roles that perform the processes.
When you have created a child diagram for a process using standard tool techniques, and specified simulation properties for the events, processes, and gateways of the child diagram, you can set up the child diagram for simulation.
When all the simulation properties have been entered the model can be validated. This will allow you to run the simulation without any unseen errors. To validate your diagram, simply select Tools, SA Simulator, Validate Simulation.
All the diagrams and definitions applicable to simulation using the BPMN notation are contained in the existing browser. Objects are stored in a hierarchy and can be reused by dragging from the browser into diagrams and definitions where appropriate.
All the diagrams and definitions applicable to simulation using the IDEF3 notation are contained in the existing browser. Objects are stored in a hierarchy and can be reused by dragging from the browser into diagrams and definitions where appropriate.
All the diagrams and definitions applicable to simulation using the Catalyst notation are contained in the existing browser. Objects are stored in a hierarchy and can be reused by dragging from the browser into diagrams and definitions where appropriate.
The System Architect Simulator window is a lite version of Lanner's WITNESS Simulator product. It animates the BPMN Process Flow diagrams from System Architect, and more importantly provides important dashboard information about the simulation.
The simulation can be saved as a .mod file from the SA Simulator's File menu. You can reopened this file either in the System Architect Simulator or the full WITNESS product.