Process analysis, simulation, and optimization based on activity-based cost information

摘要

A computer-implemented method of analyzing a workflow is provided. The method can include generating a multi-stage workflow representation corresponding to a physical process, the representation defining for each stage of the workflow at least one activity performed during the process. The method also can include associating at least one activity-based cost with each activity performed during the process, and estimating a distribution of costs over the stages of the workflow based on cost data generated by repeated execution of the process. The method can further include determining, based upon the estimated distribution of costs, whether a cost imbalance is associated with at least one stage of the workflow.