Abstract
Business units inclusive of large, medium and small-scale entities traditionally conducts activities based on business
processes. Globalization has resulted in the gradual introduction of various automation systems at various levels of
the business enterprise, specifically focussed on capturing essential business activities across the entity. These
systems, inclusive of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Plant
systems has been adopted by larger corporates in executing and optimizing business functions. These large
multinationals are described as complex entities with complex business structures inclusive of business processes. The
quantification of automation, escalations and critical variables of these business processes has not been effectively
conducted. A “systems thinking” approach adds the complexity of integrating all enterprise functions but creates a
framework for evaluating the limitations and synergies so as to optimize these processes. This research focuses on the
development and configuration of a simulation model for modelling enterprise maturity via business processes.
This research approach includes hierarchical layout and segregation of these business processes, exploring
these enterprise operations adopting business process tools, techniques, and methodologies aligned with a system
thinking approach. A simulation framework is configured and tested. The results prove that a simulation model
potentially benefits a complex organisation specific to evaluating time taken to conduct business processes. The results
indicate that interdependent processes can be modelled together with determining impacts of multiple critical variables
in reducing business process time.