1.6: Summary
- Page ID
- 30959
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Simulation is a widely applicable modeling and analysis method that assists in understanding the design and operations of diverse kinds of systems. A simulation process directs the step by step activities that comprise a simulation project. Basic methods, principles, and experience guide the development and application of simulation models and experiments.
Questions for Discussion
- List ways of validating a simulation model.
- Why might building a model graphically be helpful?
- List the types of variation and tell why dealing with each is important in system design.
- Differentiate "art" and "science" with respect to simulation.
- What is the engineering heritage influence on the use of models?
- Why does variation matter?
- Why is the simulation project process iterative?
- How does the simulation project process foster interaction between system experts and simulation modelers?
- Why must simulation experiments be designed?
- Why does a simulation project require both a model and an experiment?
- List the steps in the simulation process.
- List three ways in which the credibility of a simulation model could be established with managers and system experts.
- Distinguish between verification and validation.
- Make two lists, one of the simulation project process activities that managers and system experts participate in and one of those that they don’t.
Active Learning Exercises.
- Create a paper clip assembly line. A worker at the first station assembles two small paper clips. A worker at the second station adds one larger paper clip. One student feeds the first station with two paper clips at random intervals. Another student observes the line to note the utilization of the stations, the number of assemblies in the inter-station buffer, and the number of completed assemblies. Run the assembly line for 2 minutes. Discuss how this exercise is like a simulation model and experiment.
- Have the students act out the operation of the drive through window of a fast food restaurant in the following steps.
- Enter line of cars
- Place order
- Move to pay window
- Pay for order
- Move to pick-up window
- Wait for order to be delivered
- Depart
Before beginning, define performance measures and designate students to keep track of them. Emphasize that the actions taken by the students are the ones performed by the computer during a simulation.