Simulation is a method of mimicking the functioning of real world processes or systems using models. The model mimics the major behaviours and attributes of the chosen process or system, while the simulation represents how the model dynamically changes over time due to different actions and under various conditions.
Simulations may or may not use computers; used as a computer, simulations consist of a facility generated model, and are used to help support managers and engineers’ decision making, and to help support training. Simulations are not only visual, but also interactive, and can help facilitate learning and experimentation.
Simulation methodologies consist of discrete event simulation, process simulation, and dynamic simulation. Businesses at many levels can utilize the three types of methodologies.
What Does it Mean?
A simulation is a model that mimics the performing of an existing or proposed system, which serves as evidence for aiding decision making by running differs situations or process changes. This could also incorporate virtual reality technologies to provide a more immersive experience.
Simulations can be used for tuning performance, process optimization, improving safety, testing theories, training staff, and even entertaining people in video games! By scientifically modeling systems, it can allow a user to understand the impact of different conditions and actions.
Simulation can be beneficial too when the real system is either not available or otherwise unsafe to evaluate, or in cases of projects that are still in the design or theory stages.
Critical to any simulation, is the information that is needed to create the simulation model and protocols for verification and validation of models are still being researched and refined, particularly related to how models are created in computer simulation.
How Simulation works
Simulation uses intuitive simulation software to create a visual mock-up of a process. The visual simulation should include timings, rules, resources and constraints to represent the real-world process.
This can be applied to a number of scenarios, for example you can construct a model of a supermarket and the behaviour of shoppers as they navigate the supermarket as it becomes more busy. This can be available to inform decisions made related to resourcing (to meet demand), shop floor layout, supply chains and so on.
The same can apply to a manufacturing environment where you are able to simulate the different parts of a line and look at how their processes interact with those of others. This can provide a more entire view of how the system will operate and to develop innovative ways to improve the performance of the system.
Advantages of Simulation
There are many benefits to be gained through simulation, these include the following:
1. A reduction in financial risk
Simulation is cheaper than real life experimentation. The costs of testing theories of real-world systems can include trying something new and untested, hiring people or even paying for new equipment. Simulation allows you to test your theories and avoid high costs that occur in real life.
Simulate Circular Arguments
Simulations allow you to test redundant or circular arguments ad nauseum under the same conditions. In other words, one can test and evaluate ideas as many times as you like without any variation.
3. Look for Long-Term Impacts
A simulation can be developed to provide you some perspective into the future. It can model the impact of years of use in just a few seconds. In an environment of changing conditions, allow you to evaluate both short and long-term impacts so you can make informed investment decisions today that provide value several years into the future.
4. Derive Process Improvement Insights
The advantages of simulation extend beyond the end of a project. You can improve an entire process through testing various theories.
5. Develop Assessment of Random Events
Simulations are appropriate for assessing random events that can change or impact the process. For instance, an unexpected staff member absence will affect performance.
6. Test Non-Standard Distributions
Simulations require changing and non-standard distributions counting upon only fixed parameters. For example, when simulating a supermarket, there can be several types of customers, each moving in the store at a different velocity.
A young busy working woman picking up a sandwich will move differently than an elderly couple, or a working mother doing their weekly grocery shopping with two children. A simulation, with this regard will essentially help provide the very best possible mimic of reality.
7. Promotes Deep Thinking
The act of developing a simulation and working through the various parameters themselves can yield solutions. By deeply thinking about a process or procedure you can derive solutions or innovations without even arriving at the final simulation.
8. Enhance Stakeholder Buy-in
A visual simulation can also enhance buy-in from partners, associates and stakeholders. You can visually show the results of any changes in process and how you were able to make the changes, enhancing buy-in with stakeholders or even allowing for a simulation based sales approach.
Limitations of Simulation
While there are many benefits to using simulation, there are also limitations compared to other similar techniques and methods, such as a digital twin.
A digital twin builds on the simulation concept, but uses real time feedback and a flow of information between the virtual simulation and a real world asset or assets. The distinction being, a simulation is theoretical, whereas a digital twin is real.
Because of this, simulation has limitations when it comes to examining real world situations as they are taking place.
Why is simulation used?
Simulation is used to examine the impacts of process changes, new procedures, significant investments in equipment etc. Engineers can use simulation to evaluate the performance of an existing system or hypothesize the performance of a proposed system, explore options in solution forms or designs.
Simulation is a practical way to examine changes and theorize and experimentation with those changes without going through the expense of the real world experiment. Simulation can provide insights about systems such as cycle times, throughput at different loads, usage of resources, bottlenecks and choke points, space requirements, staffing levels, and the effectiveness of scheduling and control systems.
What Can Be Simulated?
Any system or process that has a flow of events can be simulated. As a general rule of thumb, if you can flowchart the process, then you can simulate it. Simulation is, however, best used for generating insights about processes or systems of equipment that change over time, incur variable input parameters, or have unpredictable inputs.
For example, our supermarket had unpredictable and variable inputs based on the times people use the store, the type of groceries they want from those stores, and stocks of groceries.
As a method for modelling complex systems that are subject to change and unpredictable dynamics, simulation can provide insights beyond what is possible with other methods.
While simulation is useful to manage processes, procedures and assets, Swedish philosopher Nick Bostrad went further in his 2003 paper, ‘Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?’, by proposing that you could create a simulation that included an artificial consciousness and for that simulation, create an artificial consciousness to blur the lines of reality in such a way that to the simulated user, it would be impossible to know whether they are living in reality, or are simply living in a simulation.
The theory of the simulation hypothesis is that if you did live in the simulation and were to be aware that your -‘reality-’ was not ‘real’, the simulation could change or edit your memories to once again allow you to live your life blissfully ignorant that you are not in fact a real person in the real world!!
Types of Simulation
There are three broad types of Simulation as follows:
1. Discrete Event Simulation
Model a system through time, e.g.;
- factory operation (stamping, turning, milling)
- traffic analysis (roads, networks, queues)
2. Dynamic Simulation
Model a system through space, e.g.;
- machine kinematics
- human ergonomics
- aerodynamic testing
- virtual prototyping
3. Process Simulation
Model the physical interaction of two or more systems, e.g.;
- in-service product modelling
- in-manufacture product modelling
- weather forecasting
Examples of Simulation
Simulation abounds in industry, entertainment, education, etc. The below examples are of interest:
Automotive
Simulation can mimic the characteristics of a real vehicle in a virtual environment, making the driver feel they are in a real car. Various scenarios can be emulated, to create a fully immersed experience for the driver.
This type of simulator can offer training for new and experienced drivers, thereby providing a way to teach driving skills that can maintain safety for themselves and reduce maintenance and fuel costs.
Biomechanics
Simulation can be used for biomechanics through the development of models of human or animal anatomical structures to better understand their function and develop medical treatments and devices.
The application of biomechanics simulation can also be utilized to study sports performance, simulate a surgical procedure, and analyze joint load. An additional example is neuromechanical simulation, where we utilize neural network simulation with biomechanics to test hypotheses in a virtual environment.
City and Urban Design
Simulations can be used to plan new cities or urban environments, as well as to evaluate how cities can positively change through policy decisions. This could include examining urban infrastructure and traffic flow, among other potential modelling aspects.
Digital Lifecycle Design
Simulations can be used to support the design of products, and facilitate digital prototyping, testing and assessment of the product’s lifecycle, reducing the time to develop better performing products.
Disaster Preparation
Simulations can create emergency situations to assist with disaster preparedness. This could include emergency training and designing responses to events such as natural disasters, pandemics or terrorism. Simulations can create the response to events, simulate impacts and effects, and evaluate suitability or acceptability of responses.
Consequently, simulations can identify potential problems and gaps where first-responders may need more training, and allow teams to make mistakes in a safe space before having to take actions based on real life events.
Economics and Finance
Simulations also benefit economics, macroeconomics and finance. For example, a mathematical model of the economy can be tested using historical data as a proxy for the real economy, to examine inflation, unemployment, balance of trade, and budget deficit.
Simulations can be used to model the stock exchange, as well as test financial models. Banks can also use simulations to replicate payment and securities settlement systems.
Engineering Systems
Simulations are used extensively for engineering systems to represent the operations and functions of equipment, processes and procedures. Engineering simulations may use mathematical models, and simulation or computational modelling to develop new or alternative processes.
Analysis and solutions can be evaluated and tested without significant outlay and time restraints that may be involved in deploying the system in practice.
Ergonomics
Simulation can be used to analyze virtual products and working environments that include an anthropometric virtual representation of a human, also called a mannequin or Digital Human Model (DHM).
DHMs can replicate the performance and capabilities of humans in a simulated environment. This simulation representation can be applied in a variety of ways from assembly lines to disaster management and from video gaming to waste collection.
Flight Simulation
Flight simulators have been used for decades to train new pilots and allow instructors to assess new pilots without any risk to the pilot or instructor and can even simulate instrument failures or other problems without risking the pilot, the instructor or the aircraft.
It is also easy to recreate the exact same scenarios, approaching a runway to land, under different conditions and of course privacy of the simulation saves on fuel, aircraft wear and tear, and other costs associated with actual flight time.
Marine Craft Simulation
Much like flight simulation, it is possible to simulate the working experience of operating in a ship or submarine. Simulators include those that replicate the bridge, engine rooms, cargo handling areas, communications or remotely operated vehicle interfaces; all using virtual reality and simulated views from the ship.
There are simulation vessels located across the globe at training institutions, colleges and navies and these simulators are the most rigorous and technologically advanced in the world.
Military Applications
Military simulations can be simply considered as ‘war games’ that can be used to stressThis can also be done including social and political aspects and can involve governments and military organizations around the world.
Network Systems
Simulations have been utilized on networks or distributed systems to evaluate new algorithms and protocols prior to deploying in live systems. These can connect to applications such as content delivery networks, smart cities and the Internet of Things.
Project Management
Simulations can be done for project management analysis and training purposes. In either training managers, or analyzing the effect of different decisions, simulations happen occasionally with a software package.
Robotics
Robotics simulations can be applied to attempt to mimic situations that are difficult to reproduce and evaluate in real life due to time, budget, or some other restrictions. The output of these evaluations can then be modeled and incorporated in real robots.
Production Systems
Production systems can be simulated in the same way as discrete event simulation methods to be able to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of operations, including things like manufacturer time, assembly time, changeover times, and more.
Sales
Sales processes could be simulated to consider the flow of orders from customers to orders, including labour time and cost, among others.
Satellites and Space
The Kennedy Space Centre has been known to simulate shuttle engineers for launch operations where user interact with a simulated shuttle and ground support equipment. It has also been used for navigation tests for satellites.
Sport
Statistics are heavily involved in being part of the human element in sport simulations designed to predict outcome of events as well as the performance of individuals within a sport.
Sport simulations allow for the outcomes of games/events as well as being applied to fantasy sport leagues use. Biomechanics models have also been used in training, to assess the level of fatigue and effects of fatigue on performance.
Weather
Weather forecasting uses simulations utilizing previous data to provide the average predicted values for extreme weather conditions when forecasting severe weather such as hurricanes or cyclones.