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Create a BPMN Simulation Model

As part of the process of developing a simulation model, consider which of the three options for performing the simulation you prefer to apply:

  • Execute a simulation script to initialize the variables for the diagram - select 'BPMN' as the Platform, execute the simulation as 'As Script' and select the script; you would then define the conditions and decisions as JavaScript declarations within the Tagged Values of the elements and connectors on the diagram, either before you start the simulation or during the simulation
  • Do not use a script, but initialize the variables within the first Activity and, again, modify the conditions and decisions within the Tagged Values of the elements and connectors, then execute the simulation as 'Interpreted'; you can then re-initialize the variables during simulation, as well as the conditions
  • Execute the simulation as 'Manual' and manage the flow and conditions manually at each step

Create a BPMN diagram suitable for simulation

Step

Action

See also

1

Create a Business Process or BPEL diagram from the BPMN 2.0 technology. If you create a BPEL diagram Enterprise Architect displays specialized dialogs to streamline the creation of compliant models.

Add New Diagrams

2

We recommend that you create a Start Event to clearly show where your simulation starts. You have several choices for the Event Type; the choice does not influence the simulation of your model. If no Start Events are defined, the simulation will start from an Activity that has no incoming Sequence Flows.

Start Event

3

Add all of the Activities that are involved in the Process being modeled. You have several choices for the Task Type; the choice does not influence the simulation of your model. The behavior of Activities can be further decomposed by specifying an Activity Type of Sub-Process and selecting Embedded or CallActivity. Standard Loops are also supported.

Activity Initialize Variables and Conditions

4

Add Sequence Flows between your activities. In the 'BPEL properties' dialog you can enter the condition that must be satisfied (True) before the Sequence Flow will be followed. You can also set the conditionType to 'Default' to ensure that this flow will be taken if all other branches fail the condition specified.

If you are not working with a BPEL diagram, you use the conditionExpression and conditionType Tagged Values.

Sequence Flow Initialize Variables and Conditions

5

Add End Events for any conditions that will cause the process or active execution path to end. You have several choices for the Event Type; of these only the Terminate type will influence the execution. In simulations with multiple active nodes, it causes the entire process to terminate instead of just the thread that reaches that node.

End Event

Notes

  • To include Activities that are in Packages external to the Package being simulated, either draw a:
         -  Package Import connector from the Package containing the diagram
            being simulated to each external Package, or
         -  Dependency connector from the Package containing the diagram
            being simulated to each Activity in the external Packages

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