Quick guide

B

Base currency unit

The unit of currency used as a reference in financial calculations, cost parameters, and simulation results.

Base time unit

These settings define the base unit for time to be used in simulation results, and for time parameters.

Beta distribution

A continuous probability distribution defined by two positive parameters.

Binomial distribution

Models the number of successes in a fixed number of independent trials, each with the same probability of success. Used for scenarios with two possible outcomes.

C

Condition

Determines the criteria required to trigger a token.

Control parameters

Define when and how events are triggered, adding conditions and probabilities to control the process flow. Control parameters include trigger count, inter trigger timer, condition and probability.

Cost parameters

Define the financial impact of activities and resource usage in a simulation process. Cost parameters include fixed costs and unit costs.

Custom distribution

Defines a specific set of weights (probabilities) or values based on your data or specific needs.

D

DateTime parameters

Define the start date, warmup, and property parameters.

Distribution parameters

Set parameter values using a distribution to model variability, allowing ranges of values instead of fixed points. Can be applied to inter trigger timers, processing times, properties, fixed costs, and unit costs.

Duration parameters

Define inter trigger timers, processing times, durations, and properties, in both short format and long format.

E

Elapsed time

Tracks the time taken for a task to be completed relative to the total simulation time.

Expression parameters

Define dynamic values or behaviors evaluated when a token enters an element.

F

Fixed costs

One-time expenses incurred each time a token completes an activity, independent of processing time.

G

Gamma distribution

A continuous probability distribution defined by two positive parameters: shape and scale.

I

Inter trigger timer

Defines the time interval between consecutive occurrences of the start event.

L

Lag time

The time that passes between the completion of a task and the start of the next task.

Long format

Long format sets duration as multiple values, such as years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds.

Log normal distribution

A continuous probability distribution of a variable whose logarithm is normally distributed.

P

Parameter types

Used to model various aspects of time and variability in a simulation, specifically distribution, duration and DateTime parameters. They provide flexibility and control over process start, duration, costs, and variability.

Poisson distribution

Models the number of unpredictable events within a unit of time.

Probability

Specifies the likelihood of an event occurring or driving a token along a given path.

Property parameters

Assign additional variables to BPMN elements, evaluated and set when a token enters the element.

Processing time

Simulates the duration each task takes to complete.

Q

Queue length

Indicates how many tokens are waiting to be processed — longer queues suggest delays.

R

Resource quantity

Refers to how many resources are needed to complete tasks in the process.

Required resources

Specify the resources needed to complete each task.

Result parameters

Output parameters appearing in simulation results that provide insights into various aspects of a business process.

S

Scenario parameters

Define settings controlling the overall execution of the simulation, including duration, start date, warmup, and seed.

Seed

Sets a seed value for repeatable results.

Short format

Defines duration using a single unit of time, such as second, minutes, hours, weeks, months or years.

Start date

The chosen start date for the simulation.

T

Time parameters

Define time-related aspects of a business process element, such as processing time, from an external observer’s perspective.

Tokens

Show the flow of tokens entering each process element, indicating where the process is most congested. Tokens can be in, out, or waiting.

Triangular distribution

A continuous probability distribution shaped like a triangle, defined by a minimum, maximum, and mode.

Truncated normal distribution

A variation of the normal distribution, restricted to a specific range.

U

Uniform distribution

A continuous probability distribution where all outcomes are equally likely within a specified range.

Unit costs

Ongoing expenses that fluctuate depending on processing time.

W

Wait time

Represents how long tokens wait before being processed due to an insufficient number of available resources.

Warmup

Sets the warmup period during which no data is collected.

Weibull distribution

A continuous probability distribution commonly used to model life data, reliability, and failure times.