Designing A System Model of Process Agility in Supply Chain Using Systems Dynamics (Case Study: Gas Company)

One of the most important issues in gas distribution companies in the country is the multi-level agility of processes in their supply chains. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate various factors in process agility using the systems dynamics approach. The statistical population of this research comprised of all managers of seven provincial gas supply companies. In this research, the Delphi method was used to identify the variables affecting process agility, statistical tests were used to analyze the correlation between data, the Dimtel method was used to classify the causal and effectual variables, and dynamic system analysis was used for dynamic model analysis and simulation. The validity of the model was measured based on structural and behavioral validity tests. The results showed that due to changes in performance, the cost of implementing changes in a system varied in terms of cycle and in the later stages, the cost of development increased. This delay also increased costs and reduced development productivity. Moreover, the simulation illustrated that process agility helped complete more tasks at a lower cost. The dynamics model developed in this research can be used as a tool by an organization to understand and analyze the effects of different rapid development practices and supply chain management strategies.