Process simulation

Before effecting changes for process optimization, businesses can test those changes to make sure that they will deliver the intended results. Process simulation enables organizations to realize the outcomes that optimization will bring before disrupting the actual operation.

Process simulation provides a mechanism for utilizing process histories to automatically configure a simulation. This model can then be adjusted to reflect any proposed changes to the process or resource allocation, with the goal of understanding the impact of those changes before they are implemented. This helps leaders make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and process changes, ultimately leading to optimized operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Cost effectiveness

Introducing a new or modified business process without first confirming its performance under a variety of simulated conditions can be risky. Simulation of a planned business process can help the business avoid wasting human resources by evading the rework necessary to correct poor performance not anticipated by process designers.

Risk reduction

In the case of processes whose purpose is to serve a human customer in healthcare, public safety, or other high-risk situations, failures in process prototypes can be dire. Simulations allow organizations to identify and rectify potential failures to mitigate these risks.

Speed of innovation

Simulation can fast-track process changes by instantly showcasing potential outcomes, thus cutting down lengthy trial-and-error cycles and allowing implementation teams to focus all their energy on process implementation, free from the need to rework less-optimal process designs.

Process simulation can be used in many different industries and many different processes. For example:

Healthcare: Consider a hospital looking to optimize patient flow through its emergency department. Through business process discovery, they've mapped out the current patient journey. However, before making changes—like altering a triage system or allocating more staff during peak times—they can simulate various scenarios to identify unintended issues caused by those changes. This ensures that the proposed solutions don't inadvertently increase patient waiting times or overburden staff.

Manufacturing: A car manufacturer wants to enhance its assembly line efficiency. Using a process digital twin, they simulate changes like reordering assembly stations or introducing robotic arms. Through simulations, they can predict how these changes would affect production times, product quality, and worker safety.

Banking: A bank wants to speed up its loan approval process. After mapping the current process through discovery, they simulate various changes—like automating credit checks, introducing digital document verification, or adjusting planned staffing levels. The simulation helps ensure that while the process gets faster, it doesn't introduce any unintended risks by inadvertently impacting the quality of required risk assessments.

E-commerce: An online retailer wants to optimize its product return process to enhance customer satisfaction. Simulating changes like introducing instant refunds, simplifying return labels, or providing pick-up services allows them to gauge impacts on customer loyalty, operational costs, and inventory management.

The evolution from static design blueprints to dynamic digital twins in engineering was a game-changer. In the realm of business processes, we stand at a similar crossroads. Process discovery is the blueprint, but without simulation, it's like a jet engine design that's never been tested under actual flight conditions.

Process digital twins offer businesses an unparalleled view into their operations, but simulations unlock their transformative potential. By "test driving" changes in a virtual environment, businesses can innovate faster, reduce risks, and ensure cost effectiveness. Independent of the industry, the power of simulation for realizing the full potential of digital twins is reshaping the way industries approach process optimization.