TYPES OF SIMULATION MODELING AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

This 1.5-day seminar provides a comprehensive introduction to discrete-event (DE) simulation, agent-based (AB) simulation, and system dynamics (SD), and when to use each. It will be of interest to operations research analysts, systems and industrial engineers, government and military planners, computer scientists, business analysts, healthcare professionals, managers, and more. Each type of simulation (paradigm) is described in detail and similarities/differences are given. Common applications of each are discussed, and illustrated by live model demonstrations and analyses. The best-available software and the latest technology for DE, AB, and SD simulation are presented. We also give examples of situations where it might be advantageous to use several simulation paradigms in one composite model (e.g., DE/AB and DE/continuous).

DE and SD simulation have been used since the 1950s. In contrast, AB simulation is much newer but has been one of the “hottest” topics in simulation modeling since 2005, despite the lack of any general consensus on what constitutes an AB simulation. We dispel this confusion and discuss the relationship between DE and AB simulation. There is no prerequisite for this seminar.

Versions of this seminar have been presented to Caterpillar, the U.S. Naval War College, and the U.S. Navy .