Discovering multi-agent systems for resource-centric business process simulation

Abstract Business process simulation (BPS) is a powerful tool for estimating process performance across different scenarios, offering critical support for organizational process redesign and optimization. Traditional BPS approaches predominantly rely on a control-flow-first perspective by enriching a process model with simulation parameters. While these approaches seem suitable for capturing centrally orchestrated processes, such as those managed by workflow systems, they fall short of accurately reflecting real-world processes characterized by decentralized decision-making and distinct resource behaviors. To overcome this limitation, we propose AgentSimulator , a resource-first BPS approach that discovers a multi-agent system from an event log. By modeling the distinct behaviors and interaction patterns of individual resources, AgentSimulator effectively simulates the underlying process. Our approach automatically identifies whether resource behavior is rather orchestrated or autonomous, adapting to the specific decision-making structure of the process. Experimental results reveal that AgentSimulator achieves state-of-the-art simulation accuracy while ensuring high adaptability to various process types.