Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management Volume 2, 2007 Criteria for the Evaluation of Business Process Simulation Tools Vesna Bosilj-Vuksic Vlatka Hlupic and Vlatko Ceric University of Westminster University of Zagreb, Faculty of Westminster Business School, Economics and Business, London, UK Zagreb, Croatia
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Abstract This paper focuses on a process of simulation software packages selection in the context of busi- ness 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 fea- tures 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 ad- dresses 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. Keywords: Business process simulation, discrete event simulation, business process change, business process modelling tools, guidelines for the evaluation of business process simulation tools Introduction In a period of continuous change in global business environments, organisations, large and small, are finding it increasingly