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Deborah A. Sadowski ,Mark R. Grabau: D# T) Y/ U3 u# K. b# T$ V6 r
There's a common misconception that performing a simulation study involves a sequence of steps (e.g., project definition, model formulation, verification, validation, analysis). To the contrary, all elements of a simulation project should be performed repeatedly throughout the effort, 7 d( _4 Q+ N2 G% |6 Y/ `( _) y7 \
growing in scope as the model progresses. 8 w) z5 S! w: Q
In the traditional view, projects suffer from too strong a focus on the model (and perhaps the animation), so that after the inevitable delays and problems, there's no time left to run scenarios. Instead, the analyst is faced with a presentation deadline that's firm and little time to experi-
9 v9 z0 y, J( x; n3 Tment, analyze, or think. 8 w" J/ U' A' I; h/ A) c c& E/ D( t
Instead, you should schedule the project in complete phases. Intermediate milestones, spaced no more than about two weeks apart in a medium to large project, should include specific goals for the model, animation, data, and analysis. By the time you reach the last 25% of your time on the project, you should have addressed the basic analysis issues of run length, warm-up time, etc. and should already have performed preliminary analysis on the model for a number of different scenarios. |
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