Simulation is the process of designing a model of a real system and conducting experiments with the model.
A simulation aims not only at understanding the behavior of the system but also evaluating
strategies for the operation of the system. It is based on the understanding of the concepts and allows testing different scenarios or process changes.
It is solved on the computer since it is too complex to solve analytically/manually.
The first step in simulation modelling, is to construct a conceptual framework which is kind of a road map before the model is prepared.
Advantages
It helps in testing scenarios that are not easily tested in reality.
Simulations can be used when there is no exact theoretical knowledge about
the process or when there is not much data/information available
Simulation models have the advantage that they can be tested to predict a system’s
behavior under a range of different conditions.
These are repeatable, can be tested multiple times with different number of iterations.
Such models are non destructive impying that they are not completely altered or destroyed by edits or changes but adapts to the conditions/variables given. Many layers of data and processes can be tested on simulation models.
Simulation models can be used for the following purposes (Robert Axelrod (1997)):
• Prediction
• Performance (perform a task)
• Training
• Entertainment
• Education
• Proof and discovery
They are affordable, and help provide feasibility, scalability and safety for conducting experiements with different scenarios.
How to build the simulation