A BPMN extension to support discrete-event simulation for healthcare applications: an explicit representation of queues, attributes and data-driven decision points

TitleA BPMN extension to support discrete-event simulation for healthcare applications: an explicit representation of queues, attributes and data-driven decision points
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsOnggo, B.S.S., N.C. Proudlove, A. D’Ambrogio, A. Calabrese, S. Bisogno, and Levialdi N. Ghiron
JournalJournal of the Operational Research Society
Pagination1-15
ISSN01605682
KeywordsBPMN, Business process model and notation (BPMN), Computer aided software engineering, Computer software, Conceptual design, Data driven decision, Discrete event simulation, Explicit representation, Health care, Health care application, Model driven architectures, Simulation projects, Software architecture, Software design, Stakeholder engagement
Abstract

Stakeholder engagement in simulation projects is important, especially in healthcare where there is a plurality of stakeholder opinions, objectives and power. One promising approach for increasing engagement is facilitated modelling. Currently, the complexity of producing a simulation model means that the ‘model coding’ stage is performed without the involvement of stakeholders, interrupting the possibility of a fully facilitated project. Early work demonstrated that with currently available software tools we can represent a simple healthcare process using Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and generate a simulation model automatically. However, for more complex processes, BPMN currently has a number of limitations, namely the ability to represent queues and data-driven decision points. To address these limitations, we propose a conceptual design for an extension to BPMN (BPMN4SIM) using model-driven architecture. Application to an elderly emergency care pathway in a UK hospital shows that BPMN4SIM is able to represent a more complex business process. © 2017 The Operational Research Society

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021790477&doi=10.1057%2fs41274-017-0267-7&partnerID=40&md5=f0f30c77b3cccc771c50d7b8b6c878d4
DOI10.1057/s41274-017-0267-7