Process Simulation Model

Process simulation models allow you to define how a process behaves as part of a Project Simulation Model. You can define multiple process simulation models for each process. This allows you to create different simulations based on different combinations of resource allocations and activity behavior.

Note: Grab, Global, and End activities are not simulated.

Process Information Tab

The Process Information Tab allows you to configure in:

Option	Description
Enable amount of current instances	Allows you to define the number of instances that can exist within the simulation at one time. The process simulation will run until the duration is completed or the maximum number of instances is reached.

The following table lists the Distribution Types used when creating process instances:

Option	Description
Constant	Generates simulated process instances regularly as defined by the period property.
Uniform	Generates simulated process instances regularly, taking into account the variation specified in the delta property.
Exponential	Creates simulated process instances using an average frequency of instances within a specific interval.
Normal	Generates simulated processes according to a Gauss Bell distribution based on a mean and standard deviation.
Real	Creates simulated process instances based on specific time-based criteria. This type of distribution is primarily used with round-trip simulations. You can specify the interval criteria used to categorized the distribution. You can also specify the mean and standard deviation.

Activities Tab

The Activities tab allows you to define the simulated behavior of each activity in your process. The following table describes the different tabs that are used to define an Activities behavior. The exact tabs displayed depend on the Activity type.

Tab	Description
Duration	Defines how long the instance will remain in the Activity during simulation. Since simulations do not execute tasks, this interval should be an estimate of how long an activity's task takes to complete. You can specify a distribution type. See the Process Information Tab documentation above.
Resources	Specifies the simulated resource allocation for each activity. You can select from the following options: Use Organization resources: Causes the simulation model to use organizational resources defined in the Project Simulation model. You can also define a Participant Selection Policy which is based on minimum cost, maximum efficiency, or can be generated randomly. Cost and efficiency values are defined in the Project Simulation Model for each participant. Use Fixed Resources: Defines the number of participants assigned to the Activity. This option is used when costs and efficiency parameters are not used in the simulation. Note: When using this option, the Project Resources tab of the Project Simulation Model is not used.
Cost	Defines the costs of a resource within this Activity. The Activity Cost Type defines how Activity costs are calculated. The following values can be specified: Fixed Base Cost Fixed Base Cost + Resource Costs Fixed Base Costs applies each time a process instance is run. The Resource Cost is calculated using the defined cost per hour and the time it takes this resource to execute the process instance.
Queue Info	Allows you to define how process instances are queued before executing an Activity. Queue Warning Size defines the size of the incoming queue. The Activity Queue Policy allows you to define the order instances are executed. The following values can be specified: F.I.F.O. L.I.F.O. Random Instance Priority
Transitions	Allow you to specify the probability that a process instance will follow the Activity's outgoing transitions. In addition to defining a probability for each outgoing transition, you can also add a probability for an aborted instance.
Related Processes	Allows you to define which simulation model of the related process is run during simulation. This tab is only available for Subflow Activities. At runtime, the simulation is executed based on the configuration of the subprocess' simulation model. If the checkbox is disabled, the Subflow Activity is treated as a simple activity. No subprocess is executed.

A process simulation does not execute the actual code of each activity within the process. However, by configuring parameters within the Process and Project Simulation Models, you can mimic the behavior of your process.