Distributed Business Process Simulation with Time Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current business process simulation tools fail to accurately simulate ripple effects caused by indirect relationships between businesses and do not allow for the simulation of 'people processes' or focused examination of critical time periods, lacking the ability to expose internal business details securely and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A secure distributed business process simulation system where each business entity models itself on a local client device, with a simulation server connecting these models to simulate disruptions and responses without exposing internal details, allowing for breakpoint adjustments and warp periods to advance simulation time at varying rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network simulation tools are used to simulate disruptions, then device connectivity and network flow can be visualized, but the ability to accurately simulate ripple effects from indirect relationships is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the simulation into multiple independent business process models, each maintained locally by different businesses. Each model can be independently developed and maintained while being connected through standardized interfaces, allowing accurate simulation of ripple effects without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
A simulation server acts as an intermediary that connects the distributed business process models. The server manages communication between models, coordinates disruption scenarios, and aggregates results, enabling accurate ripple effect simulation without requiring direct complex interactions between all business models.
2Measurement precision
If internal business process details are exposed to enable accurate simulation, then simulation accuracy improves, but security and confidentiality of internal processes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of business processes as software models that replicate the essential logic and behavior of actual business processes. These models can be shared and simulated without exposing the real internal processes, maintaining both accuracy and security.
Solution Approach 2:
Each business maintains control over its own local model and decides what level of detail to expose to others. The system allows different levels of abstraction and information disclosure for different business models, enabling accurate simulation where needed while protecting sensitive internal details where required.
3Duration of action of moving object
If simulation time is advanced continuously to cover extended periods, then comprehensive simulation coverage is achieved, but time required for analysis and intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows simulation time to be advanced in discrete periods rather than continuously. Breakpoints can be set at specific time points where simulation state is captured, allowing analysis and intervention at key moments without requiring continuous monitoring and processing of every time unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables skipping ahead in simulation time by defining breakpoints and warp periods. Instead of processing every time step between current time and target time, the system can directly transition to the breakpoint, effectively rushing through intermediate time periods while maintaining accurate simulation state at the breakpoint.
4Adaptability or versatility
If detailed business process models are shared between businesses, then simulation realism improves, but willingness to share internal details deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal platform where businesses can publish their process models with controlled levels of detail. The same infrastructure supports various simulation scenarios, disruption types, and information disclosure levels, making the system versatile enough to accommodate different businesses' willingness to share without requiring custom solutions for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for advancing time in a distributed business process simulation are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, simulation time may be warped from one breakpoint to another breakpoint thereby facilitating an efficient ratio of simulation time to real time.