Steps In Simulation Study

NALIN ADHIKARY
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Steps :
1. Problem Formulation
2. Setting of Objectives and Overall Project Plan
3. Model Conceptualization
4. Data Collection
5. Model Translation
6. Verification
7. Validation
8. Experimental Design
9. Production Run and Analysis
10. Documentation and Report
11. Implementation
Flow Chart Representation Yes

Problem Production Run More

Formulation & Analysis Runs?
No

Experimental Design
Setting of Yes
Yes Documentation
Objectives and
& Reporting
Overall Project Plan
Validate No
No
d?
Model
Data Collection Implementation
Conceptualization
Yes

Model Translation Verified?

No
Problem Formulation
Problem
• the problem is clearly understood by Formulation
the simulation analyst
• the formulation is clearly understood Setting of
by the client Objectives and
Overall Project Plan

Model
Data Collection
Conceptualization

Model Translation
Setting of Objectives and Overall Project Plan
Problem
• determine the questions that are to be Formulation
answered
• identify scenarios to be investigated
• decision criteria Setting of
Objectives and
• determine the end-user Overall Project Plan
• determine data requirements
• determine hardware, software, & personnel Model
Data Collection
requirements Conceptualization

• prepare a time plan

• cost plan and billing procedure Model Translation
Model Conceptualization
Problem
• abstract essential features
Real World System
Formulation
o events, activities, entities, attributes,
Assumed System
resources, variables, and their relationships
o performance measures Setting of
Objectives and
o data requirements Overall Project Plan
• select correct levelSystem
Conceptual of details
(assumptions) Model
Data Collection
Conceptualization

Logical Model
Model Translation
Data Collection
Problem
• collect data for input analysis and Formulation
validation
o arrival rate, arrival process, service discipline,
service rate , etc. Setting of
Objectives and
Overall Project Plan

• analysis of the data

o determine the random variables Model
Data Collection
Conceptualization
o fit distribution functions

Model Translation
Model Translation
Problem
Formulation
Coding

Setting of
Objectives and
Overall Project Plan

Model
Data Collection
Special Purpose Conceptualization
General Purpose Simulation Language/
Language Software
(JAVA, C++, VB) (SIMEN, ARENA, Model Translation
EXTEND)
Verification
Model Translation
• the process of determining if the
operational logic is correct No
o debugging the simulation software
Verified?

Yes

Model
Conceptualization Data Collection
Validated?
No No

Yes
Validation
Model Translation
• the process of determining if the model
accurately represents the system No
o comparison of model results with collected
data from the real system
Verified?

Yes

Model
Conceptualization Data Collection
Validated?
No No

Yes
Experimental Design
• alternative scenarios to be simulated
• type of output data analysis (steady-state
Yes
vs. terminating simulation analysis)
• number of simulation runs Model
Conceptualization Data Collection
Validated?
• length of each run No No

• variance reduction Yes

More Runs?
Experimental Design Yes

Production Run
& Analysis
Production Run & Analysis Yes

Model
• statistical tests for significance Conceptualization Data Collection
Validated?
and ranking No No

o Point Estimation
Yes
o Confidence-Interval Estimation
Experimental Design
• interpretation of results
Production Run
Yes & Analysis

Yes

More
More Runs?
Runs?

No
Documentation & Report
• program documentation
o allows future modifications
o creates confidence
• progress reports
o frequent reports (e.g. monthly) are More Runs?
No
suggested
o alternative scenarios
Documentation
o performance measures or criteria & Reporting
used
o results of experiments
o recommendations
Implementation
Implementation
• Implement the study in real system

More Runs?
No

Success ??? OR Failure ??? Documentation

& Reporting

Implementation
References
• www.engr.sjsu.edu
• www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford
Thank you