Steps In Simulation Study

NALIN ADHIKARY

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Steps :

1. Problem Formulation2. Setting of Objectives and Overall Project

Plan3. Model Conceptualization4. Data Collection5. Model Translation6. Verification7. Validation8. Experimental Design9. Production Run and Analysis10.Documentation and Report11. Implementation

Flow Chart Representation

Problem Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Experimental Design

Production Run & Analysis

More Runs?

Validated?

Verified?

Documentation & Reporting

Implementation

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

NoNo

Problem Formulation

• the problem is clearly understood by the simulation analyst• the formulation is clearly

understood by the client

Problem Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Setting of Objectives and Overall Project Plan• determine the questions that are to

be answered• identify scenarios to be investigated• decision criteria• determine the end-user• determine data requirements• determine hardware, software, &

personnel requirements• prepare a time plan• cost plan and billing procedure

Problem Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Model Conceptualization

• abstract essential featuresoevents, activities, entities,

attributes, resources, variables, and their relationships

operformance measuresodata requirements

• select correct level of details (assumptions)

Problem Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Real World System

Assumed System

Conceptual System

Logical Model

Data Collection

• collect data for input analysis and validationoarrival rate, arrival process, service

discipline, service rate , etc.

• analysis of the dataodetermine the random variablesofit distribution functions

Problem Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Model TranslationProblem

Formulation

Setting of Objectives and

Overall Project Plan

Model Conceptualization Data Collection

Model Translation

Coding

General Purpose Language

(JAVA, C++, VB)

Special Purpose Simulation Language/

Software(SIMEN, ARENA,

EXTEND)

Verification

• the process of determining if the operational logic is correctodebugging the simulation software

Model Translation

Verified?

Validated?

No

Yes

Yes

Data CollectionModel Conceptualization

NoNo

Validation

• the process of determining if the model accurately represents the systemocomparison of model results with

collected data from the real system

Model Translation

Verified?

Validated?

No

Yes

Yes

Data CollectionModel Conceptualization

NoNo

Experimental Design

• alternative scenarios to be simulated• type of output data analysis

(steady-state vs. terminating simulation analysis) • number of simulation runs• length of each run• variance reduction

Validated?

Yes

Yes

Data CollectionModel Conceptualization

NoNo

Experimental Design YesMore Runs?

Production Run & Analysis

Production Run & Analysis

• statistical tests for significance and rankingoPoint EstimationoConfidence-Interval

Estimation

• interpretation of results

Validated?

Yes

Yes

Data CollectionModel Conceptualization

NoNo

Experimental Design

Production Run & Analysis

More Runs?

Yes

Yes

No

More Runs?

Documentation & Report

• program documentationoallows future modificationsocreates confidence

• progress reportso frequent reports (e.g.

monthly) are suggestedoalternative scenariosoperformance measures or

criteria usedo results of experimentso recommendations

Documentation & Reporting

Implementation

NoMore Runs?

Implementation

• Implement the study in real system

Documentation & Reporting

Implementation

NoMore Runs?

Success ??? Failure ???OR

References

• www.engr.sjsu.edu• www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford

Thank you

!