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The BPSim Resource Perspective
The 'Resource Perspective' targets the involvement of types and roles of workers and other resources in a process, reviewing the required numbers, combinations, costs and availability. Before you define how the resources can be deployed in the process, you must create the appropriate BPMN 2.0 Resource elements within your model. These are then listed in the 'Resource' folder in the Configure BPSim window hierarchy. You can also use ResourceRoles that you might have defined in your model, but it is quicker and easier to create and use any roles you require within the BPSim configuration.
Access
Use one of the methods outlined in this table to open the Configure BPSim window and load a Business Process Simulation Artifact element, using the 'Resource' perspective.
Ribbon |
Simulate > BPSim > Manage > Open BPSim Manager > click toolbar icon > Select Artifact > [select a Business Process Simulation Artifact] > Set 'Perspective' to 'Resource'
Simulate > BPSim > Manage > Open BPSim Manager > click toolbar icon > [select a Package] > Create Artifact : Add New > [provide a name] > Set 'Perspective' to 'Resource'
Simulate > BPSim > Manage > Find BPSim Configuration Artifacts > double-click an Artifact in search results > Set 'Perspective' to 'Resource' |
Context Menu |
In Project Browser or diagram | Right-click Business Process Simulation Artifact | Configure BPSim | Set 'Perspective' to 'Resource' |
The Resource Tab
The 'Resource' tab is available when you click on a Resource element in the 'Resource' folder. On this tab, you define how many instances of each resource are available for each calendar period that you have defined, and any roles the resource might be specialized into. You can provide multiple instances of each resource parameter, depending on how the resource availability varies across any defined calendar periods.
When you have finished defining the resource availability, click on the
. The 'Resource' tab has no 'Result Request' facility.Parameter |
Description |
See also |
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Availability |
In the 'Type' column, select this parameter. In the 'Value' column, click on the drop-down arrow and select either 'True' (the resource is available) or 'False' (this resource is not available). You can also define mechanisms for establishing availability, using the 'Parameter Value' dialog, as long as they result in a value of True or False. In the 'Calendar' column, click on the drop-down arrow and select the calendar period to which this availability applies. |
Using the Parameter Value Dialog |
Quantity |
In the 'Type' column, click on the drop-down arrow and select this parameter. In the 'Value' column, either type in a simple numerical value or click on the drop-down arrow and use the 'Parameter Value' dialog to define a constant or derived value for the quantity of this resource that is available for assignment. In the 'Calendar' column, click on the drop-down arrow and select the calendar period during which this quantity of the resource is available. |
Using the Parameter Value Dialog |
Role |
To add a role to the panel, click on the New Role text and type in the role name. At this point the new roles remain as parameters within the BPSim configuration and are not reproduced in the model. |
The Cost Tab
The 'Cost' tab is available when you select an Activity element or a Resource element in the Configure BPSim window hierarchy. To add a parameter, click on the drop-down arrow after the 'New Parameter' text in the 'Type' column. You can have multiple costs if the cost varies according to the calendar period in which it is incurred.
Parameter |
Description |
See also |
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Fixed Cost |
This parameter defines the fixed cost of calling the resource or activity into use, automatically expressed in the unit of currency defined on the 'Scenario' tab. For example, the call-out fee for an electrician. In the 'Value' column, either type in the cost or click on the drop-down arrow and define how the cost is derived. A derived cost must resolve to a floating or numeric value. If necessary, in the 'Calendar' column click on the drop-down arrow and select the calendar period during which the fixed cost applies. |
Using the Parameter Value Dialog |
Unit Cost |
This parameter defines the unit cost of using the resource or running the activity, automatically expressed in the unit of currency and per the unit of time defined on the 'Scenario' tab. For example, the hourly rate of the electrician. In the 'Value' column, either type in the cost or click on the drop-down arrow and define how the cost is derived. A derived cost must resolve to a floating or numeric value. If necessary, in the 'Calendar' column click on the drop-down arrow and select the calendar period during which the unit cost applies. |
Using the Parameter Value Dialog |
The ResourceRole Tab
The 'ResourceRole' tab is available when you select an Activity element or Business Process element in the 'BPSim Configuration' hierarchy. Its main purpose is to define the resources for an Activity, but if necessary you can assign resources that act within the Business Process definition itself.
You can apply the resources as defined within the model. Alternatively, you can define a combination of resources and roles that is not identified in the model, which overrides the original definition. For example, the model might show that an Activity 'Take Customer Call' is associated with the resource 'Front Office'. In the BPSim configuration you can qualify that relationship to indicate that the Activity actually uses 50 Front Office staff. But you might instead override the model relationship to indicate that the work can be done by 50 resources from either Front Office or Support, if (for example) the Support resources have the role of Switchboard Operators.
The resource selection for the Activity is also displayed as an expression, at the bottom of the tab.
Panel |
Description |
See also |
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Resource Roles defined in BPMN |
In this panel, you assign a resource to the selected Activity in the BPMN model, as shown:
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Advanced Override for Single Resource Role |
In this panel, you can define a combination of resources to use in place of a relationship defined in the model. All resources currently defined in the model are automatically listed in the panel. The override applies to a single selected ResourceRole entry in the 'Resource Roles defined in BPMN' panel; if you have more than one entry in this panel, set the 'Quantity' value for the other entries to 0.
If a resource is defined in the 'Resource Roles defined in BPMN' panel, a change to the quantity of that resource is reflected in that panel, but the addition of a subsequent resource in the 'Advanced Override for Single Resource Role' panel changes the value of the 'Quantity' field to 'Override'. If you want to make the role of a resource significant in the combination, you must have at least one resource identified in the upper panel. This adds a 'Role' item to the end of the list in the 'Advanced Override for Single Resource Role' panel.
If you do not want to keep a resource or role in the defined combination, set its 'Quantity Required' value to 0. It will remain at this value while you remain on this Activity, but when you return to the Activity after working elsewhere the field is clear. |
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