Discrete Event Monte-Carlo Simulation Based Decision Support System for Business Process Management

This paper presents a discrete event Monte-Carlo simulation based decision support system (DSS), which helps in managing business processes. Process managers use available information on work load, resource availability, task time, etc. and use their experience to predict the performance of the process and take corrective action, if required. We describe here a method and a system which takes available information about work load, and resource availability, to predict near future system performance using discrete event simulation, and compares the expected performance with desired service level and alerts the manager to take corrective action. The DSS assists operational managers in handling more complexity in decision making. This paper describes the framework for design of such a system which can be used in conjunction to a business process Management system

Dynamic Evolution of Software Processes to Evolve Software Systems During Their Development

A software system, once deployed into its target environment, might need to be modified for various reasons. The reasons might be specific to that software system, such as failures, or, more general, such as changes in the environment in which the software system is embedded. Depending on the reason, a modification might obviously not only be restricted to a particular software system. It might also concern other existing software systems and particularly also software systems under development. The modification of a software system under development is merely a problem of modifying its development process, also called software process. Such modifications generally cannot be automatically carried out by autonomous process support systems due to the complexity inherent in software processes and in the necessary modifications. It usually needs to be guided by a human process manager. A process support system can, however, offer the human process manager certain services to assist in modifying a software process. One of these services is that of decision support

A framework for embedding simulation.

Although exemplars of successful outcomes from using simulation are readily available, little has been published outlining how simulation can be implemented in an organisation.This study examines on an experimental approach on how discrete event simulation (DES) can be implemented in an organisation and the various success and failure factors associated with it. The importance of factors like organisational culture, information management, and human resource management was investigated. To understand the general challenges faced by organisations in implementing simulation and other business process improvement techniques, various case studies were discussed. A questionnaire was also formulated to invite some of the well-known organisations that use simulation technology to evaluate the current methods and strategies in implementing simulation.The primary outcome was to create a framework for embedding simulation based on the research from the successful case studies and the findings and outcomes from the literature survey and questionnaire. The framework was validated using examples of various cases during the research experience in the collaborating organisation. The importance of creating a structural framework and its collaboration and co-existence with the current organisational framework and required project outcome(s) were highlighted. In creating a relevant and workable framework and validating the same, this study has contributed significantly to the research gap established within the existing simulation integration studies