Simulation Modelling for Business

by Greasley,Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780754632146
• ISBN10: 0754632148
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Simulation Modelling for Business is a comprehensive textbook ideal for use on undergraduate and postgraduate courses.The first section of the book provides a definition of simulation modelling and describes the skills and resources required to undertake a successful simulation study. Types of simulation are assessed and the basic concepts behind the method are outlined. The main part of the book follows the steps involved in conducting a simulation study and provides a practical guide to building a simulation model and to implementing the results. Reference is made throughout to ARENA, SIMUL8 and WITNESS; systems used in industry and widely available to students. Case studies from manufacturing and service industries demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach and chapter questions are provided to assist learning.

Table of Contents

Preface	viii
Acknowledgements	ix
Biography	x
1 Introduction to Simulation Modelling	1	(20)
Introduction	2	(1)
What is Simulation Modelling?	2	(1)
Defining Simulation	3	(1)
Why Use Simulation?	4	(1)
Disadvantages of the Simulation Method	5	(1)
Simulation and Variability	6	(2)
Where is Simulation Used?	8	(2)
History of Simulation	10	(1)
A Classification of Model Types	11	(8)
Summary	19	(1)
Exercises	20	(1)
2 Introducing Simulation in the Organisation	21	(12)
Introduction	22	(1)
Steps in Introducing Simulation	22	(10)
Summary	32	(1)
Exercises	32	(1)
3 Formulating a Simulation Project Proposal	33	(16)
Introduction	34	(1)
Linking Operational Change to Strategic Objectives	34	(3)
Determining the Level of Usage of the Simulation Model	37	(2)
Managing the Simulation Project	39	(4)
The Simulation Project Proposal	43	(3)
Summary	46	(1)
Exercises	47	(2)
4 Data Collection and Process Mapping	49	(10)
Introduction	50	(1)
Data Collection	50	(2)
Process Mapping	52	(4)
Summary	56	(1)
Exercises	56	(3)
5 Modelling Input Data	59	(30)
Introduction	60	(1)
Less than 20 Data Points: Estimation	60	(1)
20+ Data Points: Deriving a Theoretical Distribution	61	(19)
200+ Data Points: Constructing an Empirical Distribution	80	(3)
Historical Data Points	83	(1)
Nonstationary Arrival Processes	83	(1)
Summary	84	(2)
Exercises	86	(3)
6 Building the Model	89	(42)
Introduction	90	(1)
The Single Queue Bank Clerk Simulation	90	(1)
Building the Model using ARENA	91	(8)
Building the Model using SIMUL8	99	(8)
Building the Model using WITNESS	107	(11)
The Dual Queue Bank Clerk Simulation	118	(1)
Building the Model using ARENA	119	(4)
Building the Model using SIMUL8	123	(3)
Building the Model using WITNESS	126	(3)
Summary	129	(1)
Exercises	129	(2)
7 Validation and Verification	131	(12)
Introduction	132	(1)
Verification	132	(6)
Validation	138	(3)
Summary	141	(1)
Exercises	141	(2)
8 Experimentation and Analysis	143	(46)
Introduction	144	(1)
Statistical Analysis for Terminating Systems	145	(1)
Single Model Statistical Analysis	145	(1)
Establishing a Confidence Interval	145	(13)
Establishing Confidence Intervals at a Given Half-Width	158	(4)
Comparing Alternatives	162	(2)
Paired t-test	164	(5)
Paired t-test using Common Random Numbers	169	(2)
One-Way ANOVA	171	(6)
Factorial Designs	177	(2)
Statistical Analysis for Non-Terminating Systems	179	(8)
Summary	187	(1)
Exercises	187	(2)
9 Implementation	189	(6)
Introduction	190	(1)
Project Report	190	(1)
Project Presentation	190	(1)
Project Implementation Plan	191	(1)
Organisational Context of Implementation	191	(2)
Summary	193	(1)
Exercises	194	(1)
10 Case Studies (Andrew Greasley and Duncan Shaw)	195	(26)
Introduction	196	(1)
Case Study 1: A Petrol Station	197	(1)
Case Study 2: A Coffee Shop	198	(1)
Case Study 3: A Supermarket	199	(1)
Case Study 4: A Garage	200	(1)
Case Study 5: A Night Club	201	(1)
Case Study 6: A Hospital Ward	202	(4)
Case Study 7: A Factory Simulation	206	(9)
Case Study 8: A Supermarket Simulation	215	(6)
Bibliography	221	(4)
Index	225