What is Simulation?
Simulation: “Attempting to predict aspects of the behavior of some system by creating an approximate model of it.” Simulation is a powerful tool and methodology, providing decision makers and analysts the ability to run “What If” scenarios of any business process. Any process can be modeled accurately, accounting for complex interdependencies and variability, and can be run quickly in accelerated time. The simulation model can be used to predict the impact on key metrics and significantly reduce the risk associated with key business decisions. Similar to flight simulation where pilots fly an accurate model of the system and can practice with a number of scenarios prior to the real thing, business decision makers can do the same by modeling processes and testing potentially high risk ideas. Why Simulate? Traditional spreadsheet solutions are static and often do not account for variability and interdependencies.
The design is modeled, often starting with CAD data, within a simulation product suite like Femap on a PC. The simulation model is then virtually tested, using an FEA solver like NX Nastran, to verify that the design will function as expected under defined operating conditions. The results from the simulation provide insight into the behavior of the design and help engineers make design changes and improvements.
Computer simulation is the discipline of designing a model of an actual or theoretical physical system, executing the model on a digital computer, and analyzing the execution output. Simulation embodies the principle of “learning by doing” — to learn about the system we must first build a model of some sort and then operate the model. The use of simulation is an activity that is as natural as a child who role plays. Children understand the world around them by simulating (with toys and figurines) most of their interactions with other people, animals and objects. As adults, we lose some of this childlike behavior but recapture it later on through computer simulation. To understand reality and all of its complexity, we must build artificial objects and dynamically act out roles with them. Computer simulation is the electronic equivalent of this type of role playing and it serves to drive synthetic environments and virtual worlds.
The term simulation is used in different ways by different people. As used here, simulation is defined as the process of creating a model (i.e., an abstract representation or facsimile) of an existing or proposed system (e.g., a project, a business, a mine, a watershed, a forest, the organs in your body) in order to identify and understand those factors which control the system and/or to predict (forecast) the future behavior of the system. Almost any system which can be quantitatively described using equations and/or rules can be simulated. The underlying purpose of simulation is to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that control the behavior of a system. More practically, simulation can be used to predict (forecast) the future behavior of a system, and determine what you can do to influence that future behavior.
The Oxford English Dictionary describes Simulation (Discrete Event Simulation) as: “The technique of imitating the behaviour of some situation or system (Economic, Mechanical etc.) by means of an analogous model, situation, or apparatus, either to gain information more conveniently or to train personnel.” Since the early 1960’s, Simulation has been one of many methods used to aid strategic decision making within industry. Its main strength lies in the ability to imitate complex real world problems and to analyse the behaviour of the system as time progresses. There are two main types of simulation: Discrete and Continuous. iBright Ltd expertise lies in Discrete Event Simulation.
