Simulation modeling can be challenging for a beginner. There is a sharp learning curve not only on
the mechanics and nuances of the software, but
also with managing a simulation project.
However, there is a magic formula and here it is in a nutshell. Make sure you have…
- Training on the software
- Support from a mentor
- An appropriate first project
- Support from the rest of the company
- Access to data
- Subject matter experts to educate yourself on the process
- Time to work on the project
- Time to verify and validate the project
- Time to measure its success
Training &
Mentoring
Get training on the tool as well as a mentor - both are crucial.
The cost of a one-week training class will save two to three months of
learning and struggling on your own. I
also would recommend spending some time with a modeling mentor. If your company has other modelers, buddy up
with one of the experts for a couple of models.
If no one else uses simulation at your company, you might want to
consider hiring someone to help build the first model. After the first project, consider hiring that
consultant again as a mentor through the next project. It is difficult for a new modeler to build a
good model without knowing what a good model looks like. I have seen modelers using simulation for
years but using the same bad habits they originally started out with because
they have never seen it done differently.
So get started out on the right track.
Successful Initial
Projects
The first project should be selected with care. It should be used to help you get comfortable
with simulation. The purpose of your
FIRST simulation project should NOT be to create a model that automagically
generates the optimal schedule for the factory!
Although that is a lofty goal, first pick a simple project, possibly a
subset of what will eventually become part of a larger model. Start out small. Pick something that will be successful. Learn how to manage a simulation project. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Yes, make mistakes! We actually learn the most when we make
mistakes and correct ourselves.
Support
Get support from the rest of the company. A simulation model needs data, often lots of
it. A simulation model needs process
knowledge. As a new modeler, you often
do not have either of those within your immediate grasp. You must go find the information from others
within the company. This information
will take resources that you often can’t commandeer yourself. It takes a certain level of management
support to commandeer those resources.
Without this support, you can’t get data plus you can’t get the
information you need regarding the process.
So without the right level of management support, the project can’t
succeed.
Time
Give yourself time to work on the project. If you have other responsibilities, quite
often your simulation responsibility will fall to the bottom of the task
list. I have seen this way too
often. When a new modeler has other
responsibilities and is always starting and stopping frequently; it can be detrimental! Each time a modeler revisits the model they
tend to have forgotten the last few things they had done and waste a lot of
time getting back into the groove. This
has a similar effect with experienced modelers, but not to the same extent as a
new modeler.
Verification &
Validation
Budget plenty of time to verify and validate the model. A computer will do what you tell it to do,
which is not necessarily what you want it to do. While you are building the
model, constantly take time to verify
that the model is doing what you intended. As you complete stages of the model,
validate that it is a reasonable representation of the real system. For
validation, you will need the same subject matter experts that helped you
understand the process. This step will not only help to ensure that the model
is accurate, it will make others more confident in the model.
Measuring Success
This is not easy, but if you can, compare a decision made
without the model to one made with the model. Compare the performance of the
implemented system with the model. If there are any significant differences,
make note of them so that they can be accounted for in the future. If the model
proved to be accurate, use this as political capital for future projects.
Here is a link to a paper I co-authored with Dave Krahl (now
at Kromite LLC) a few years ago on getting started with simulation. It is a great read and contains more details.
