Conceptual simulation model for strategic decision evaluation in project management

Abstract

This paper focuses on a conceptual methodology for an integrated simulation model dubbed as dynamic simulation modelling system (DSMS) for proactive and optimal decision making within a project management framework. Due to the uncertainties in project environment, the technical and operational functionality of a facility needs to be assessed during development and operation phases of the project. The simulation model is used for optimising the investment decisions vis-a Á -vis evaluation of functionalities on project facilities in early stages of the project. Project life cycle objective functions (LCOFs) are employed as a set of decision criteria throughout the project's life. The discussion is being extended on the need for setting up an integrated and user-friendly model to encompass the processes in the entire life cycle of the project. Details of the system are described and a hypothetical case study is used to demonstrate its capabilities. Possible extensions are then outlined. The C++ programming language in association with the object-oriented database management system is used to achieve the aforementioned objectives.

A simulation/optimisation approach to support the resource allocation in service firms

“…The simulation is a numerical technique for conducting experiments on computers involving certain types of mathematical and logical models to describe the behaviour of a system over extended periods of the real time. During the last decade, DES has gained a significant role in engineering planning and design (Doloi and Jaafari, 2002). Numerous examples reported in the literature, provide evidence how organisations can save millions of dollars and avoid major risks using process simulation (Irani et al, 2000).…”

“…The simulation assists management on analysing the functionality and operability of project deliverables by focusing on the business objectives in the early phase of the project (Figure 1). The platform allows a real time project definition based on technical, functional and operational aspects of the project (Doloi and Jaafari, 2002;Romano et al, 2011). The simulation term refers to a wide range of methods and applications that allow playback of the behaviour of a real system, by building a model on which to perform experiments whose results then can be inferred on the reality.…”

Developing an integrated management system for optimising project options

“…Considering the whole of project life approach, its operational environments and associated influences of stakeholders, the evaluation criteria (e.g. triple bottom line) are identified in three broad categories (Doloi and Jaafari, 2002b):…”

The Impact of Demand Uncertainty and Configuration Capacity on Customer Service Performance in a Configure‐to‐order Environment

“…Unlike most analytic models, simulation models can accommodate dynamic interactions and less restrictive assumptions (Marucheck and McClelland 1992). In previous CTO simulation research, performance is conceptualized as the ability to meet specific service levels such as fill rate within specified time period or to meet certain level of inventory (Chow, Heaver, and Henriksson 1994;Closs et al 1998;Doli and Jaafari 2001;Glasserman and Wang 1998;Song 1998). For example, Song, Xu and Liu (1999) model a multivariate Poisson process to address the probability that customer order can be met within a given time window (customer waiting time, order response time reliability).…”

“…Extant literature shows that much research uses fill rate and response time as measures of customer service performance (Chow, Heaver, and Henriksson 1994;Closs et al 1998;Doli and Jaafari 2001;Glasserman and Wang 1998;Song 1998). This research uses order fill rate, case fill rate, and response time measures.…”