On simulation model complexity

Chwif, Leonardo; Barretto, Marcos Ribeiro Pereira; Paul, Ray J.

doi:10.1109/wsc.2000.899751

Cited by 106 publications

(110 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Much of the general advice on conceptual modelling in simulation and in OR has emphasised the advantages in keeping the model as simple as possible (e.g., Ward, 1989;Salt, 1993;Chwif et al, 2000). Typical advantages suggested are that simpler models are easier to build, change, maintain, understand, and experiment with, they require less data, and they enable the complete list of their assumptions to be identified more easily.…”

Section: Conceptual Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual modelling and the project process in real simulation projects: a survey of simulation modellers

Brooks

Wang

2015

Journal of the Operational Research Society

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A survey was used to obtain information on the processes and methods used by simulation experts in real projects. The 102 survey respondents answered questions about their most recent simulation project. This paper presents some of the survey results, focussing mainly on conceptual modelling and the pattern of time allocation to different topics. There are a wide range of findings that include the modellers making changes to the initial conceptual model during subsequent tasks in most of the projects usually by adding complexity, model coding taking on average about twice the time of other topics, and the topics generally occurring in single blocks of time (at the resolution of the survey data collection) but with considerable overlaps. The resultsgive an insight into the way experts approach simulation projects and their problem solving strategies. A potential application is in training novice modellers, particularly in developing 'craft skills'. The results also provide an empirical basis for further research, especially in conceptual modelling.Keywords: simulation; practice of OR; OR education; conceptual modelling; modelling process IntroductionIn an article in Operations Research, Willemain (1995) wrote: '… the important issues of how analysts proceed in practice have so far not been studied and understood in a systematic way.While the OR community presses on with its traditional business of developing and applying new methods, it must also attend to metamodeling issues and the larger subject of an epistemology of practice …', and he also quoted Gass (1987): 'We need to get away from the crutch that modeling is an art.' In order to start to address these issues, Willemain's (1995) study looked at the model formulation step in the first hour of tackling an Operational Research (OR) problem, and the approach taken was the use of think aloud protocols to capture and then analyse the thoughts of experts. This produced valuable data and novel insights into what actually happens in the first part of the modelling process. For example, one result was that there was a lot of switching between the different topics, particularly between developing the model (model structure) and evaluating it (model assessment). In other words, the experts often thought about some aspects of how the problem could be modelled, then critically evaluated the ideas, and then further revised or developed the model. 2We also believe that it is very important for research in OR to include the study of the process of OR and that a good way of doing this is to understand, analyse and learn from the ways of working of expert OR practitioners. However, in the many years since Willemain's paper very little further work has been done in this area and, in our view, his comments still apply.There is a need for empirical data of what happens in practice on OR projects in order to start to understand the procedures, approaches and strategies used.An important potential application is to use this information in the education and training of s...

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Section: Conceptual Modellingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual modelling and the project process in real simulation projects: a survey of simulation modellers

Brooks

Wang

2015

Journal of the Operational Research Society

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“…However, due to the technical complexity of these models it may not be appropriate to introduce them to the learners as they may find it difficult to comprehend and fully appreciate the underlying reasons that justify the use of simulation models (Chwif et al, 2000). Further, the use of models for classroom teaching would require that the learners be familiar with not only the theory of discrete-event simulation (or other simulation techniques which may have been used to develop the model) but also that they have some competence in using the specific simulation tool that was used for model implementation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A game-based approach towards facilitating decision making for perishable products: An example of blood supply chain

Katsaliaki

Mustafee

Kumar

2014

Expert Systems with Applications

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Supply chains for perishable items consist of products with a fixed shelf life and limited production/collection; managing them requires competent decision-making. With the objective of placing the learners in the position of decision-makers, we propose the Blood Supply Chain Game which simulates the supply chain of blood units from donors to patients based on a real case study modelling the UK blood supply chain. The Excel-based game is an abstraction of the technical complex simulation model providing a more appropriate learning environment. This paper presents the game's background, its mathematical formulations, example teaching scenarios and the learners' evaluation. The game aims to translate qualitative aspects of a sensitive supply chain into quantitative economic consequences by presenting a process analysis and suggesting solutions for the patient's benefit in a cost effective manner, trying to synchronise blood demand and supply and maximise the value of the whole supply chain. This innovative approach will be instructive for students and healthcare service professionals.

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“…However, those models are generally not easy to learn during classical academic training. Therefore, difficulties arise during most of the water quality modelling courses/trainings when practical applications of models are needed to be illustrated to the students/trainees (hereinafter referred to as users) who are usually inexperienced in water quality modelling Several authors (Musselman, 1993;Salt, 1993;Robinson, 1994;Pegden et al, 1995;Pidd, 1996), who are experts in computer science and general simulation approaches reinforce the idea to use simple models (Chwif and Paul, 2000). However, there may be the cases, where the simple models are not the most appropriate ones for the solution of the problem and hence "to apply the simplest possible model is not always the best idea" (Erturk et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ertürk¹

2010

Turk. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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Water quality models are important decision support system tools for water pollution control, study of the health of aquatic ecosystems and assessment of the effects of point and diffuse pollution. However, water quality models are usually comprehensive software, which are usually not easy to learn and apply. Thus extensive training is needed before scientists and engineers can use most of the water quality models effectively. In this study; a new, easy to use and simple stream water quality modelling software is developed. The model underwent an extensive testing period that includes education/training oriented applications and a real world application as well. The software is easy to learn and the model is simple enough to be used in advanced undergraduate and introductory graduate level courses in aquatic sciences and environmental science, engineering or management programmes. It can also be used for institutional training in state offices that are dealing with water pollution control and integrated water management as well. All the modelling system is developed according to free/open software philosophy so that advanced level users such as trainers are able to modify it according to the training/institutional needs.Keywords: analytical models, one-dimensional steady state models, open source models. Eğitim ve Alıştırma Amaçlı Basit Bir Akarsu Su Kalitesi Modeli ÖzetSu kalitesi modelleri; su kirliliği kontrolü, su ekosistemlerinin sağlıklarının araştırılması ve noktasal ve yayılı kirlenmenin etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi için kullanılabilen önemli karar destek sistemi araçlarıdır. Genellikle, kapsamlı ve karmaşık yazılımlar olup öğrenilmeleri ve uygulanmaları kolay değildir. Bu nedenle bilim insanlarının ve mühendislerin, çoğu su kalitesi modelleme yazılımını etkin olarak kullanmadan önce, model ile ilgili eğitilmeleri gerekmektedir. Bu çalışmada; yeni, kullanımı kolay ve basit bir akarsu su kalitesi modelleme yazılımı geliştirilmiştir. Model, hem eğitim/araştırma hem de gerçek uygulamaları içeren kapsamlı bir deneme sürecinden geçmiştir. Yazılım, öğrenilmesi kolay olup içerdiği model su bilimleri, çevre bilimleri, çevre mühendisliği ve çevre yönetimi lisans öğreniminde ileri ya da lisansüstü öğreniminde giriş düzeyindeki derslerde kullanılabilecek kadar basittir. Yazılım ayrıca su kirlenmesi kontrolü ve bütünsel havza yönetimi ile ilgili kamu kurumlarında kurumsal eğitim amacı ile kullanılabilmektedir. Tüm dizge ücretsiz ve açık kaynak felsefesine göre geliştirildiğinden, eğiticileri gibi ileri düzey kullanıcıların modeli eğitim amaçlı/kurumsal gereksinimlere göre değiştirmeleri mümkündür.Anahtar Kelimeler: analitik modeller, tek boyutlu yatışkın modeller, açık kaynak modeller.

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On simulation model complexity

Cited by 106 publications

References 21 publications

Conceptual modelling and the project process in real simulation projects: a survey of simulation modellers

Conceptual modelling and the project process in real simulation projects: a survey of simulation modellers

A game-based approach towards facilitating decision making for perishable products: An example of blood supply chain

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