Analysis and Visualization of Simulation Results
After running a simulation, the next critical step is analyzing and interpreting the results. This
involves extracting meaningful insights through statistical analysis and visual representation.
Proper analysis helps validate the model, identify trends, and support decision-making.
1. Data Interpretation and Statistical Analysis
1.1 Importance of Statistical Analysis in Simulation
Since simulations often involve randomness, analyzing output data statistically is necessary to
ensure accurate and reliable conclusions. Key goals include:
Understanding system behavior under different conditions.
Identifying performance bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
Comparing alternative designs for optimization.
1.2 Key Statistical Techniques for Simulation Analysis
A. Measures of Central Tendency
Mean (Average): Represents the expected system behavior.
Median: Useful when the data is skewed or contains outliers.
Mode: Identifies the most frequently occurring outcome.
B. Measures of Variability and Uncertainty
Variance & Standard Deviation: Measure the spread of data.
Confidence Intervals: Indicate the reliability of the results.
C. Hypothesis Testing
Used to compare different simulation scenarios.
Example: Testing whether adding another checkout counter reduces average wait time
significantly.
D. Regression and Correlation Analysis
Identifies relationships between input parameters and system performance.
Example: Examining how traffic congestion changes with increased signal duration.
E. Sensitivity Analysis
Determines how small changes in input parameters affect output.
Example: Studying how server response time is affected by varying request arrival rates.
2. Techniques for Visual Representation of Results
Visualizing simulation data makes interpretation easier and more intuitive. Common
visualization techniques include:
2.1 Line Charts
Show trends over time (e.g., system load variations throughout the day).
2.2 Histograms
Display the distribution of values (e.g., service time variations in a call center).
2.3 Box Plots
Represent data spread, outliers, and medians (e.g., response time analysis in a network).
2.4 Scatter Plots
Identify relationships between variables (e.g., correlation between customer arrival rate
and waiting time).
2.5 Heat Maps
Useful for spatial analysis (e.g., traffic congestion levels across a city).
2.6 Simulation Animation
Dynamic visualization of the simulated process (e.g., animating pedestrian movement in
an evacuation model).
2.7 Dashboards
Interactive dashboards integrate multiple visual elements to provide real-time insights.
3. Case Studies and Practical Applications
3.1 Case Study: Traffic Flow Simulation
Objective: Analyze the effect of adding an extra lane on traffic congestion.
Simulation Setup: Vehicles enter a highway based on a Poisson arrival process.
Analysis:
o Measured average travel time before and after adding the lane.
o Used histograms to visualize travel time distribution.
o Sensitivity analysis showed optimal lane addition under high traffic conditions.
3.2 Case Study: Healthcare System Optimization
Objective: Reduce patient waiting times in a hospital emergency department.
Simulation Setup: Modeled patient arrivals, service times, and doctor availability.
Analysis:
o Compared patient wait times under different staffing levels using box plots.
o Regression analysis showed that increasing doctors during peak hours reduced
delays significantly.
3.3 Case Study: Cloud Computing Resource Allocation
Objective: Optimize virtual machine allocation to handle varying workloads.
Simulation Setup: Requests arrive randomly, and servers have limited processing
power.
Analysis:
o Scatter plots showed how CPU utilization varied with workload changes.
o Heat maps displayed peak congestion times in server clusters.
Conclusion
Effective analysis and visualization of simulation results ensure better decision-making.
Statistical techniques help extract meaningful insights, while visual representations make data
interpretation intuitive. By applying these methods in real-world scenarios such as traffic flow,
healthcare, and computing, organizations can optimize performance and improve efficiency.
