Introduction of Government Process Modeling with Rockwell Arena Software

Abstract

Students in a core Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) course were taught to model and simulate selected business processes of government agencies and nonprofits with Rockwell Arena software. Each student or pair was asked to document an existing government process, in order to model and simulate a variation of the process, with a goal of improving service quality and/or lowering costs. Students found it challenging to make the transition from a simple model, taught as an example, to modeling and simulating real processes on the computer. Experiences are reported and suggestions are provided to others who may want to use Arena software to introduce process modeling into the Public Affairs and Administration curriculum.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bruce J. Neubauer

Bruce Neubauer is an associate professor in the Masters of Public Administration program at Albany State University. His teaching and research interests include public information systems management, research methods, capstone research, public health, and complexity and the design sciences—all as related to public affairs and administration.

Shelley K. Stewart

Shelley Stewart is an instructional designer in the Department of Instructional Technology at Saint Leo University. Her teaching and research interests include learning theory, and instructional strategies that promote dialogue and the use of qualitative methodology in the context of online education. In 2008, Shelley obtained her doctoral degree from the University of South Florida in Curriculum and Instruction, with a specialization in Instructional Technology and Educational Measurement and Research.