Process simulation vs. system simulation

Simulation has been used successfully for years to improve system design and management. With the emphasis on process improvement in all aspects of a business, simulation is being recognized as a tool that can be of significant benefit. Simulation helps maximize process performance before a process is implemented. A frequent decision to be made when using simulation for general business processes is whether to simulate the process or the system. Process simulation, unlike system simulation, models the logical activity sequence rather than the actual material flow. This is a departure from the traditional system simulation perspective. To model a process you define an activity sequence rather than a workstation routing sequence. Many people confuse process simulation with system simulation because this distinction is unclear. The issues and challenges of simulating a process instead of a system are discussed, with a resolution presented. Characteristics that using process simulation in place of simulation are also discussed. Examples are given of how process improvement using process mapping can be extended to include simulation.