Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains, 12th Edition

Supplement E Simulation

Learning Goals

After reading this supplement, you should be able to:

1. Identify four reasons for using simulation models.

2. Perform a manual simulation using the Monte Carlo simulation process.

3. Create a simple simulation model with an Excel spreadsheet.

4. Describe the advanced capabilities of SimQuick.

The act of reproducing the behavior of a system using a model that describes the processes of the system is called simulation. Once the model has been developed, the analyst can manipulate certain variables to measure the effects of changes on the operating characteristics of interest. A simulation model cannot prescribe what should be done about a problem. Instead, it can be used to study alternative solutions to the problem. ...