Title: Path-based modelling of business processes

Authors: Wilhelm Nüßer

Addresses: Department of Computer Science, University of Applied Science (FHDW), Paderborn, Germany

Abstract: Modelling business processes as stochastic processes has a long tradition. Most models focus on the dynamics of the complete state of the process. In this article we propose a new approach which concentrates on the stochastic paths of measurable quantities like key performance indicators. Using this concept a strong analogy to current results in statistical physics is exposed which leads to a general expression for the entropy of a business process as well as results quantifying the performance loss in processes due to fluctuations. Finally, path probabilities and averages of key performance indicators of a process are given in terms of business constraints expressed as variational principles.

Keywords: stochastic processes; business processes modelling; simulation; entropy; path probabilities; fluctuations.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2021.113071

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2021 Vol.16 No.1, pp.14 - 25

Received: 05 Sep 2019
Accepted: 14 May 2020
Published online: 17 Feb 2021 *

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