Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process for managing configurable resource policies executes a resource expression associated with a received user selection to extract information from an executing simulation. Responsive to a determination that there are no more user selections to process, a set of rules is selected using the user selections and resource expression to populate a resource template using extracted information and selected rules. A resource policy is generated using the populated template. The generated resource policy is applied to the executing simulation, wherein behavior of the executing simulation is modified.

Abstract: Resource usage calculation for process simulation (such as business process simulation). For each resource used by a simulated process, a usage counter object (or similar data structure) is used. In one embodiment, the usage counter object for each resource includes a list of time slots sorted by start times, and another list of time slots sorted by end times, to keep track of currently-scheduled time slots for this particular resource. In another embodiment, the usage counter object for each resource includes a list of time slots, sorted by start times and having associated end times, to keep track of the currently-scheduled time slots for this particular resource. The usage counter objects also store a count of how many units of this resource are currently in use, and a count of how many users are currently using the resource. These counters are updated using the sorted time slot lists.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to decision node processing in a business process model and provide a method, system and computer program product for linked decision nodes in business process models. In an embodiment of the invention, a business process model simulation method can be provided. The method can include loading a business process model for simulation, designating a decision node in the business process model as a master decision node and linking another decision node in the business process model as a slave decision node to the master decision node. The method further can include simulating the master decision node to select an output pin and storing the selected output pin in association with the master decision node, and applying the selected output pin in the slave decision node when arriving at the slave decision node during the simulation without simulating the slave decision node.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, computer program products and data processing systems for presenting dynamic data pertaining to a process. In one aspect, region information identifying a plurality of user-selected regions of the process, switching information identifying criteria for switching among the user-selected regions, and dynamic data pertaining to the process, are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of the process which emphasizes, at any given time, only one of the user-selected regions. The user-selected region emphasized at any given time is automatically determined according to the criteria for switching. In another aspect, region information identifying at least one user-selected region of the process and dynamic data pertaining to the process are used to generate a dynamic visual representation of at least a portion of the process containing the at least one user-selected region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art with respect to modeling a process having a visual representation and provide a method, system and computer program product for importing a visual representation of a process for use in an application. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented visual process model importation method can include identifying an arrangement of one or more visual objects in a visual process model, selecting associations between the visual objects and corresponding representative elements for a target process model, mapping the visual objects in the source model into the selected corresponding representative elements for the target process model, and producing the target process model for the visual process model using the mapping. The method subsequently can include providing the target process model as input to an application such as a simulation engine, a workflow engine or a visual collaboration and documentation system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented process for managing configurable resource policies executes a resource expression associated with a received user selection to extract information from an executing simulation. Responsive to a determination that there are no more user selections to process, a set of rules is selected using the user selections and resource expression to populate a resource template using extracted information and selected rules. A resource policy is generated using the populated template. The generated resource policy is applied to the executing simulation, wherein behavior of the executing simulation is modified.

Abstract: An online simulation model optimization receives data representative of a business process captured in real time to form instance metrics, aggregates the instance metrics to form aggregated instance metrics, and uses a particle filter for filtering the aggregated instance metrics to form calibrated data. The process iteratively computes an output value using the calibrated data, by a simulation model. Responsive to a determination that the output value is not within a predetermined tolerance of an error threshold, the process adjusts a weight previously assigned to an aggregated instance metric by the particle filter to form recalibrated data, whereby the recalibrated data is submitted to the simulation model for computation. Responsive to a determination that the output value is within the predetermined tolerance, the process sends a result to a correction selection process of a business process optimizer, the result comprising the output value, the calibrated data, and/or the recalibrated data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for duration estimation of simulating a process model embodied in a directed graph. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for estimating a duration of simulation for a process model embodied in a directed graph can include loading a directed graph for traversal in a simulation engine, identifying nodes in the directed graph, estimating a duration of simulation by the simulation engine for individual ones of the nodes, summing a duration of simulation for the individual ones of the nodes to produce an estimate of a duration of traversal of the directed graph, and presenting the estimate in association with the traversal of the directed graph by the simulation engine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to decision node processing in a business process model and provide a method, system and computer program product for linked decision nodes in business process models. In an embodiment of the invention, a business process model simulation method can be provided. The method can include loading a business process model for simulation, designating a decision node in the business process model as a master decision node and linking another decision node in the business process model as a slave decision node to the master decision node. The method further can include simulating the master decision node to select an output pin and storing the selected output pin in association with the master decision node, and applying the selected output pin in the slave decision node when arriving at the slave decision node during the simulation without simulating the slave decision node.

Abstract: Resource usage calculation for process simulation (such as business process simulation). For each resource used by a simulated process, a usage counter object (or similar data structure) is used. In one embodiment, the usage counter object for each resource includes a list of time slots sorted by start times, and another list of time slots sorted by end times, to keep track of currently-scheduled time slots for this particular resource. In another embodiment, the usage counter object for each resource includes a list of time slots, sorted by start times and having associated end times, to keep track of the currently-scheduled time slots for this particular resource. The usage counter objects also store a count of how many units of this resource are currently in use, and a count of how many users are currently using the resource. These counters are updated using the sorted time slot lists.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to event driven simulation and provide a method, data processing system and computer program product for mapping a process model for use in a generic simulation engine. In an embodiment of the invention, a generic model simulation method can include mapping a specifically formatted process representation into a generic process model, and providing the generic process model to a simulation engine. The method further can include executing a simulation on the generic process model in lieu of executing the simulation on the specifically formatted process representation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for modeling processes such as business processes. Specifically, under the present invention, a process having multiple variations is modeled as a placeholder process, and is associated with an annotation that maps the multiple variations to different contexts of the placeholder process. Thereafter, process variations can be generated based on the different contexts of the placeholder process. Integrity checks can also be performed to determine if any of the process variations has an error so that the generation of any corresponding process will be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product to simulate a business process model wherein a decision node may be modeled using a fair selection process or a random selection process, as selected by an end user. The fair selection process may provide a distribution of invocations among the outgoing paths of a decision node that substantially matches the probabilities assigned to those paths. A fair selection process may do this independent of the number of invocations of the decision node. A random selection process may provide random invocations among the outgoing paths of a decision node according the probabilities assigned to those paths.

Abstract: A business process simulation system for scheduling token arrival in a business process simulation is provided. The system includes a frequency module for receiving user input defining a frequency of token arrival; a duration module for receiving user input defining at least one repeatable valid duration of availability to receive tokens; an exemption module for receiving user input defining an exemption duration within the availability duration; and a timer module for receiving user input defining a recurring timer calendar for the business process simulation. The system also includes a token scheduling controller, wherein the token scheduling controller is adapted to process instructions corresponding to the user inputs and sending token scheduling instructions corresponding to the user-defined parameters to the business process simulation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for duration estimation of simulating a process model embodied in a directed graph. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for estimating a duration of simulation for a process model embodied in a directed graph can include loading a directed graph for traversal in a simulation engine, identifying nodes in the directed graph, estimating a duration of simulation by the simulation engine for individual ones of the nodes, summing a duration of simulation for the individual ones of the nodes to produce an estimate of a duration of traversal of the directed graph, and presenting the estimate in association with the traversal of the directed graph by the simulation engine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to decision node processing in a business process model and provide a method, system and computer program product for linked decision nodes in business process models. In an embodiment of the invention, a business process model simulation method can be provided. The method can include loading a business process model for simulation, designating a decision node in the business process model as a master decision node and linking another decision node in the business process model as a slave decision node to the master decision node. The method further can include simulating the master decision node to select an output pin and storing the selected output pin in association with the master decision node, and applying the selected output pin in the slave decision node when arriving at the slave decision node during the simulation without simulating the slave decision node.