Simulation and Modelling - Old Questions

4. Discuss the  merits and demerits of system simulation.

Simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulation involves the generation of an artificial history of the system, and the observation of that artificial history to draw inferences concerning the operating characteristics of the real system that is represented.

Merits of Simulation

• New procedures or rules can be explored without hampering the ongoing real time system operations.
• New designs can be tested without acquiring resources.
• The hypotheses about certain phenomena can be tested for feasibility.
• Insights can be obtained about the variable interaction and their credit for system performance.
• It provides the better understanding of the operation of the system in easier way.
• A simulation study can help in understanding how the system operates rather than how individuals think the system operates.
• “what-if” questions can be answered. So it is useful in the design of new systems.

Demerits of Simulation

• Building model requires specialization which is the art learned through experience.
• In some cases, the results of the simulation may be so complex to interpret.
• It may be time consuming and expensive.