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SIMULATION STUDIES
AN OVERVIEW (PART I)
Dr. Chee Khian Sim
Logistics, Operational Research and Analytics
Group
chee-khian.sim@port.ac.uk
Simulation Studies: An Overview
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An Overview (Cont.)
• A conceptual model: a description of the model
that is to be developed.
• A computer model: the simulation model
implemented on a computer.
• Improvements and/or understanding: derived
from the results of the experimentation.
• An improvement in the real world: obtained
from implementing the improvement and/or
understanding gained.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL
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Conceptual Modelling
• The conceptual model is a non-software specific
description of the simulation model that is to be
developed, describing the objectives, inputs,
outputs, content, assumptions and
simplifications of the model.
1. Objectives: the purpose of the model and
modelling project.
2. Inputs: those elements of the model that can
be altered to affect an improvement in, or better
understanding of, the real world; otherwise,
known as the experimental factors.
Conceptual Modelling (Cont.)
3. Outputs: report the results from simulation
runs.
4. Content: the components that are represented
in the model and their interconnections.
5. Assumptions made either when there are
uncertainties or beliefs about the real world
being modelled.
6. Simplifications incorporated in the model to
enable more rapid model development and
use.
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Conceptual Modelling (Cont.)
• Content of a model described in terms of two
dimensions:
1. Scope of the model.
• The model boundary or the breadth of the real system
that is to be included in the model – what to model.
• Components: Entities; activities; queues; resources.
2. Level of detail.
• The detail to be included for each component in the
model’s scope – how to model it.
Conceptual Modelling (Cont.)
• Methods to represent the content of the
conceptual model:
• Component list.
• Process flow diagram.
• Logic flow diagram.
• Activity cycle diagram.
Logic flow diagrams use standard flow diagram
symbols to represent the logic of the model.
• Software such as Visio and Flowcharter support
flow diagramming.
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An Example: Single Server Queue
Problem Situation:
• An organisation is setting up a simple service
process.
• Arriving customers are served at a single service
point. If the service point is busy, customers wait in
a queue.
• Initial plan is to achieve an average service time of
0.8 minutes, but through improvements in the
service process, it is possible to achieve a service
time of 0.75 minutes or even 0.7 minutes.
• The organisation requires that the average waiting
time for customers is less than two minutes.
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An Example (Cont.)
1. Objective: Determine the service time
required to ensure that the average
waiting time is less than 2 minutes.
2. Input/Experimental Factor:
Mean service time will be set to 0.7, 0.75 and 0.8
minutes.
3. Outputs:
• Average waiting time – to determine achievement of
objective.
• Utilisation of the service point – to determine reasons
for failure to meet objective.
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An Example (Cont.)
4. Content:
Scope of Model Component
Entities:
Customers
Activities:
Server
Queues:
Queue for service
Resources:
Personnel
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An Example (Cont.)
Level of detail
Component Detail
Entities:
Customers • Arrival pattern: Random
• Routing: to queue
Activities:
Server • Quantity: 1
• Service time: Fluctuates
with mean 0.7, 0.75 or
0.8
• Routing: to world
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An Example (Cont.)
Component Detail
Queues:
Queue for • Quantity: 1
service • Queue discipline: first-in-
first-out
• Routing: to server
Resources:
Personnel Not modelled; Represented
by server
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An Example (Cont.)
Logic flow diagram
of single server
queue
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An Example (Cont.)
5. Assumptions: No breakdowns of server.
6. Simplifications:
• Service personnel (resource) not specifically
modelled, but represented by the server
(activity)
• No limit to the number of people who can wait in
the queue for service.
• No pushing in to the queue and no balking,
jockeying or reneging from the queue.
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Logic Flow Diagram
Shape Name Description
Flow line An arrow coming from one symbol and ending
at another symbol represents that control
passes to the symbol the arrow points to.
Terminal They usually contain the word “Start” or “End”,
or another phrase signalling the start or end of
a process.
Process The shape is used to show that something is
performed.
The shape is used to show where a decision
is necessary, commonly a Yes/No question or
Decision True/False test. The conditional symbol is
peculiar in that it has two arrows coming out of
it.
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Exercise
• Three types of customers can arrive at a bank.
• Type 1: See one of the six available bank counters.
• Type 2: Wish a consultation with the mortgage advisor.
• Type 3: Wish to consult one of the two standby investment
advisors.
• Customers formed a queue for the service he/she is
seeking, if all personnel for the service are occupied.
• After service is completed, customer leaves the bank.
Develop a logic flow diagram to represent the operations of
the system.
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References
1. Stewart Robinson, Simulation: The Practice of
Model Development and Use. 2nd Edition.
Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.
2. Wikipedia.
