Managing Simulation Scenarios

Read how to create and manage scenarios in the SAP Signavio Process Manager Simulation tool. With scenarios you can configure the data sets used when running the One-case and Multiple-case simulation functions.

Before running a one-case or multiple-case simulation, configure the data that the simulation is based on by creating a scenario.

When you open a diagram in the simulator for the first time, it automatically contains one scenario based on the diagram's Cost & Resource Analysis attribute. Read the Configure the cost & resource analysis attribute section to configure the Cost & Resource Analysis attribute.

With scenarios you can manage different data sets for simulating one process. You can edit the scenario data by clicking on the corresponding tabs.

The scenario data is categorized by four different tabs:

  • Costs: contains granular costs of activities.

  • Duration: contains granular execution durations of activities.

  • Frequency contains frequency and probabilities of start events, of junctions after gateways, and of boundary events.

  • Resources: define availabilities and costs of process participants.

Costs

In the costs tab you can configure the execution costs for each task in the scenario.

Duration

In the duration tab you can configure the execution time for each task in the scenario.

You can configure the execution time in two ways:

  • Entering a duration in the execution time column for a task.

  • Defining task execution time as distribution functions. Distribution functions simulates non-deterministic task execution times.

Configure duration with distribution functions

Follow these steps:

  1. Select the Duration tab and choose (more options).

    The execution time dialog opens.

  2. Enter a Proportion value.

    Add a single or multiple proportions. All proportion values must equal to 100%

  3. Select a Method. You can select the following methods:

    • Constant: defines an execution time that has a specific probability. With the help of several probability-constant mappings, you can create a discrete probability distribution.

    • Uniform distribution: defines an execution time which is equally distributed within a range of two values.

    • Normal distribution: defines an execution time which concentrates around a certain value.

  4. Enter an Execution time value in hh:mm:ssand click Accept.

  5. Choose Save Scenario.

Frequency

In the frequency section you can configure the start frequency of the start event and the execution probability of gateways and events in your scenario.

Configure the Start Event Frequency

Follow these steps:

  1. Select the Frequency tab.

  2. On the start event, choose (more options).

  3. Configure the Day, From, To and Frequency fields.

  4. Add multiple frequencies for the start event if required by choosing Add new row.

  5. Choose then Save Scenario.

Configure the Execution Probability of Gateways and Events

Follow these steps:

  1. Select Frequency tab.

  2. Expand the gateway or event and enter the required probability values.

    All probability values must equal to 100%.

  3. Choose Save Scenario.

Resources

In the resources tab you can define a roles work schedule and cost per hour.

Configure Work Schedules for a Role

Follow these steps:

  1. Select the Resources tab.

  2. In the Work schedules column, choose (more options).

    The edit schedules page open.

  3. Specify the Numbers of resources value.

  4. In the Work schedules column, choose (more options).

  5. Configure the Day, From, and To values.

    The Hours value updates according to your configuration.

  6. Choose then Save Scenario.

Configure the Costs Per Hour for a Role

Follow these steps:

  1. Select the Resources tab.

  2. In the Costs / hour column, enter a value.

  3. Choose Save Scenario.

You can create an additional scenario by choosing (add). Choose between creating a scenario based on the Cost & Resource Analysis attributes (Create from template: None) or using the data of another scenario as a starting point.

When starting a new simulation, select the required scenario from the drop-down menu.

Configure the Cost & Resource Analysis Attribute

To configure the Cost & Resource Analysis attribute, follow these steps:

  1. Open a diagram in the editor.

  2. Select an element on the canvas.

  3. Expand the Attributes|Views section.

  4. Edit the values in the Cost & Resource Analysis section.

  5. Repeat the above steps for all elements in your diagram.

  6. Confirm with Save.