Towards simulation-based business process management

Simulation and optimization of business processes can provide a basis for business process management. The paper explores how work flow performance can be improved through an approach that aligns the network architecture with an organization´s business processes. Simulation is examined as a way to optimize this alignment. We consider that there are three layers to this issue: business processes, network architecture, and the work flow application. Each layer will be considered, followed by a look at the central alignment problem.