Simulation and modeling - Old Questions

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.

The following lists when simulation is useful:

• Simulation enables the study of, and experimentation with, the internal interactions of a complex system, or a subsystem within a complex system.
• Informational, organizational, and environmental changes can be simulated, and the effects of these alterations on the model’s behavior can be observed.
• Simulation can be used as a pedagogical device to reinforce analytic solution methodologies.
  
• Simulation can be used to experiment with new designs or policies prior to implementation
• Simulation can be used to verify analytic solutions.
• By simulating different capabilities for a machine, requirements can be determined.
• Animation shows a system in simulated operations so that the plan can be visualized.
• The modern system is so complex that the interactions can be treated only through simulation.

The following lists when simulation is not useful:

• Simulation is not appropriate when the problem can be solved by common sense.
• Simulation should not be used if the problem can be solved analytically.
• Simulation should not be used if it is easier to perform direct implementations.
• Simulation should not be used if the cost exceeds the savings.
• Simulation should not be done if the resources and time are not available.
• Simulation can not be done if no data is available.
• Simulation is not preferred if the system behavior is too complex to be defined.