Lecture 2
Lecture 2
Chapter-01
Discrete-Event System Simulation
-Jerry Banks
Introduction to Simulation
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Introduction to Simulation
Can simulate
Quick results The advantages
dangerous
Simulation can be Of modeling
situations
Speeded up
Simulation enables the study of, and experimentation with, the internal
interactions of a complex system, or of a subsystem within a complex system.
Informational, organizational, and environmental changes can be simulated,
and the effect of these alterations on the model’s behavior can be observed.
The knowledge gained in designing a simulation model may be of great value
toward suggesting improvement in the system under investigation.
By changing simulation inputs and observing the resulting outputs, valuable
insight may be obtained into which variables are most important and how
variables interact.
Simulation can be used as a pedagogical device to reinforce analytic solution
methodologies.
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When Simulation is the Appropriate Tool (2)
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When Simulation is not Appropriate
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Simulation (1)
Advantages
New polices, operating procedures, decision rules, information flows,
organizational procedures, and so on can be explored without disrupting
ongoing operations of the real system.
New hardware designs, physical layouts, transportation systems, and so on,
can be tested without committing resources for their acquisition.
Hypotheses about how or why certain phenomena occur can be tested for
feasibility.
Insight can be obtained about the interaction of variables.
Insight can be obtained about the importance of variables to the
performance of the system.
Bottleneck analysis can be performed indicating where work-in-process,
information, materials, and so on are being excessively delayed.
A simulation study can help in understanding how the system operates
rather than how individuals think the system operates.
“What-if” questions can be answered. This is particularly useful in the
design of new system. 7
Advantages and Disadvantages of Simulation (2)
Disadvantages
Model building requires special training. It is an art that is learned over
time and through experience. Furthermore, if two models are constructed
by two competent individuals, they may have similarities, but it is highly
unlikely that they will be the same.
Simulation results may be difficult to interpret. Since most simulation
outputs are essentially random variables (they are usually based on
random inputs), it may be hard to determine whether an observation is a
result of system interrelationships or randomness.
Simulation modeling and analysis can be time consuming and expensive.
Skimping on resources for modeling and analysis may result in a
simulation model or analysis that is not sufficient for the task.
Simulation is used in some cases when an analytical solution is possible,
or even preferable. This might be particularly true in the simulation of
some waiting lines where closed-form queueing models are available.
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Areas of Application (1)
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Areas of Application (3)
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Areas of Application (4)
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