BPSim - Configure Page

The BPSim Artifact will be configured to a Package. All BPMN elements under this Package or its sub-Packages will be loaded. By default, the Package containing this Artifact will be configured when loaded into this window.

This window is context sensitive. When an element is selected on a diagram or the Browser window, the list will show current configurations for the element; also, the drop-down lists of values will only show available parameters for the element.

When the BPSim Artifact is the context element, the list will show the ScenarioParameters.

Access

Toolbar Options

Option	Description	See also
	Click on this button to select or create a BPSimConfiguration element.
	Click on this button to set a Package for the BPSim Artifact. All BPMN elements under this Package or its sub-Packages will be included.
	Click on this button to reload BPMN elements from the configured Packages. For example, when some BPMN elements are modified, run this command to reload the Package so that the changes will be taken into account for BPSim Simulation.
	Click on this button to define Properties, which can be used as Property Parameters on BPMN elements.
	Click on this button to define Calendars, which can be used to configure element parameters.
	Click on this button to show or hide the 'Result Request' column. Result Request configuration is required for a Custom simulation. The execution report will only contain results that are requested.
	Click on this button to save the Configure BPSim window information to a BPSim Artifact element.
	Click on this button to validate the BPMN model and the BPSim configurations. Error or warning messages might display in the System Output window if they are generated.
	Click on this button to export the BPMN model with the BPSim configuration. This exported BPMN file conforms to the BPMN and BPSim specifications and can be used by third-party BPSim Execution engines.

Scenario Parameters

A scenario is composed of a collection of element parameters. The scenario itself defines parameters used by all elements as global settings. Not all parameters will display for an element, but you can bring them in to the list by:

1. Clicking on the New Parameter text, clicking on the drop-down arrow and selecting 'ScenarioParameter'.
2. Clicking on the drop-down arrow in the 'Parameter' field and then selecting the parameter type from the list.

Note that once you have added all possible parameters for a scenario, the Configure BPSim window does not allow you to attempt to add more.

Control Parameters

To begin defining Control parameters for the appropriate element (such as an Event or Gateway):

1. Select the element on the diagram, then click on the New Parameter text and on the drop-down arrow in the 'Category' column, and select 'Control'.
   
2. Click on the drop-down arrow in the 'Parameter' field, which will display the available unassigned parameters for the selected element.
   
3. Select the appropriate parameter, and then click on the 'Values' field; you can either type the parameter value in the field or use the button to open the 'Parameter Value' dialog.
   

Note that the page allows you to provide only the appropriate parameters for the element. Once you have specified these parameters, the fields do not allow further input or selection.

Temporal Parameters

To begin defining Time parameters for the appropriate element (such as a BPMN Task):

1. Select the element on the diagram.
2. Click on the New Parameter text and on the drop-down arrow, and select 'Time' from the list.
3. After you select 'Time', click on the drop-down arrow in the 'Parameter' field and select from the available parameters for the element.
4. In the 'Values' field, either type the value or click on the button to open the 'Parameter Value' dialog.
5. You can toggle the 'Result Request' column by clicking on the min/max button on the toolbar to customize the simulation output by requiring certain results

Resource Parameters

To begin defining the Resource parameters for the appropriate element (such as a BPMN Task):

1. Select the element on the diagram.
2. Click on the New Parameter text and on the drop-down arrow, and select 'Resource' from the list.
3. In the 'Parameter' field, click on the drop-down arrow and click on 'Selection' in the list.
4. In the 'Values' field, click on the button to open the 'Edit Resource Selection' dialog.
   

• The top left panel lists the defined Resource elements; click on the resources to assign and on the Add Selection By Resource(s) button to move the selection to the 'Resource or Role' panel
• The top right panel lists the defined Roles (if any) for the Resource elements; click on the required roles and on the Add Selection By Role(s) button to move the selection to the 'Resource or Role' panel
• The 'Quantity Required' column defaults to 1 for each resource/role; if a larger quantity is required, overtype this value with the appropriate number
• Click on the appropriate radio button to set the logical relationship to AND or OR for the selection
• The final expression for Resource selection is composed and shown in the text field
• Click on the OK button to return to the Configure BPSim window, where the expression is shown in the 'Values' field

Property Parameters

To begin defining the Property parameters, click on the button on the toolbar. The 'Edit Property Parameters' dialog displays.

The defined properties and their references are listed.

You can add a new property, delete a selected property (using the context menu option), overtype a property's name or select a different type for a property.

Having checked the defined properties, you can set Property parameters on BPMN elements.

Choose 'Property' as a category, then click on the drop-down arrow in the 'Parameter' field and select a property.

Click on the button on the 'Values' column to display the parameter value dialog (named from the property and the parent element).

Navigate to the appropriate tab to select and define the type of value and actual value, then click on the OK button. The value displays in the 'Value' field.

Calendars

Calendars help you to define any number of special periods of time that can influence the process, such as working days, shifts, holidays or periodic events (for example, stock-taking, inventory or auditing).

To begin defining the Calendars:

1. Click on the button on the toolbar; the 'Edit BPSim Calendars' dialog displays, showing any existing calendars.
   
   You can add a new calendar, or edit or delete a selected calendar.
2. To add a new calendar period, click on the New button to display the 'Event Recurrence' dialog.
   
3. In the 'Event time' panel, the 'Start' and 'End' fields both default to the current time. The 'Start' field is the anchor; a change to either the 'End' field or the 'Duration' field automatically updates the other field, in reference to the 'Start' field. Click on the hour and minute segments of each field (and, for the 'Duration' field, the 'Day(s)' segment) separately, and use the 'spin' arrows to set the start time and the end time or duration of the period.
4. In the 'Recurrence pattern' panel, select the radio button for the interval at which the calendar period recurs. Each option displays an appropriate set of fields in the right of the panel for refining that interval to every day/week/month or every two/three/four days/weeks/months, on a particular day of the week, or day or date of the month, or day or date in the year. Select the checkboxes or values in drop-down lists as appropriate.
5. In the 'Range of recurrence' panel, select the date on which the calendar period takes effect and select the appropriate radio button to define when the period ceases to apply - never, after a set number of occurrences, or on a specific date. You can select an end date either from a drop-down calendar or using the 'spin' arrows on each segment of the date.
6. Click on the OK button to set the calendar period.

As you define calendar periods, they are listed in order of the start date and/or time, earliest first.

With defined calendars, you can configure parameters on a selected calendar.

Validation

After configuring BPSim parameters for some BPMN elements, click on the button to run a validation of the simulation. Any BPMN or BPSim errors/warnings will be displayed in the System Output window. Fix the issues according to the messages.

After doing this, proceed to the next Help topic: BPSim Execute Page.

Learn more

• Using the Parameter Value Dialog
• BPSim - Execute Page
• BPSim - Step Page
• BPSim - Review Page