Modelling the integration of BP and IT using business process simulation

Purpose – Business process (BP) and information systems (IS) communities support the idea that BP and IS design should be integrated. Although there are a large number of modelling techniques to aid BP and IS design, there is little indication of which techniques can be suitable to model their integration. This research suggests a simulation model that can be used to depict BP/IS integration. Design/methodology/approach – The simulation framework proposed in this paper is based on a simulation framework used previously. For both frameworks, a single case study approach is employed for theory building and testing. The results provided by the application of the ASSESS‐IT framework (theory testing) are used to propose the new ISBPS framework (theory building), which is tested again in the case study. Findings – The models derived from the ISBPS framework provide quantifiable metrics of the integration of BP and IS. These data can help analysts to foresee the benefits that the insertion of a given IS design may bring to the organisational processes. Research limitations/implications – The development of the ISBPS models proved to be complex. Further research should focus on testing the ISBPS framework with more complex IS and to provide mechanisms to facilitate their design. Practical implications – IS practitioners may consider simulation to evaluate IS design strategies. Originality/value – The ISBPS simulation model provides quantifiable metrics of the integration of a given IS design within a given BP scenario. Practitioners can use these models to test alternative BP/IS scenarios before implementation.