1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: measuring cost data generated by repeated execution of a physical process, wherein each activity of the physical process is assigned to a stage in a multi-stage workflow, wherein a financial model associated with the multi-stage workflow contains at least one activity-based cost for performing each activity of the physical process; estimating, by operation of one or more computer processors, a distribution of costs between at least two of the stages of the multi-stage workflow based on the measured cost data, wherein the distribution of costs assigns a cost value to each activity-based cost in the multi-stage workflow; determining, based on the distribution of costs, a plurality of simulated distribution of costs and a plurality of simulated total revenues by iteratively varying a value of at least one parameter associated with at least one activity, wherein varying the value of the at least one parameter varies the activity-based cost of the at least one activity; and upon determining a maximum profit based on the plurality of simulated distribution of costs and the plurality of simulated total revenues, implementing a process change to the multi-stage workflow that alters the physical process based on the value of the at least one parameter that yields the maximum profit.