Why Daily Plans Fail
At 6:00 Monday morning I create a plan for my day starting at 7:00. That doesn't seem to be such a difficult task. Why is it that by 7:30 my plan already shows signs of...
Read MoreAuthor Archives: David Sturrock
How Much Data Do I Need?
I have discussed data issues in several previous articles. People are often confused about how much data they really need. In particular, I frequently hear the refrain “Simulation requires so much data, but I don’t...
Read MoreGeneral Simulation Project Approach
People often wonder when the best time is to incorporate simulation into a project. The answer, without a doubt, is at the earliest possible moment -- when an idea for a significant system change or...
Read MoreHuman Judgment Beats Simulation
Human Judgment, also known as Seat Of The Pants Analysis (SOTPA), is probably the least acknowledged but most widely used alternative to simulation. SOTPA is making decisions by instinct and feelings rather than using objective...
Read MoreWhy Simulation is Important in a Tough Economy
Everyone wants to cut costs. No one wants to spend unnecessarily. When budgets are tight, software and software projects are an easy place to cut. Staff positions like Industrial Engineers are sometimes easier to cut...
Read MoreSimulation and Strategic Management
Guest article from Marco Ribeiro Corporations everywhere today face the huge challenge of surviving and growing in an extremely competitive environment. Markets are shaped and reshaped due to constant innovation, customer demands and fierce competition....
Read MoreCan Simulations Model Chaos?
Can chaotic systems be predicted? I guess we first need to agree on exactly what a chaotic system is. BusinessDictionary.com defines it as a “Complex system that shows sensitivity to initial conditions, such as an...
Read MoreProfessional Development
The annual Winter Simulation Conference (WSC) starts two weeks from today. Initially as a practitioner and then later as a vendor I have attended over 20 of these conferences in addition to dozens of other...
Read MoreSimulation Applications in Assembly
Assembly processes are a common part of manufacturing and can be found in applications as diverse as apparel, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and even food processing. Assembly operations share many common simulation applications with general manufacturing,...
Read MorePredicting Process Variability
Systems rarely perform exactly as predicted. A person doing a task may take six minutes one time and eight minutes the next. Sometimes variability is due to outside forces, like materials that behave differently based...
Read MoreSimulation in Agriculture
Guest article from Sophie Scotts Over the past several months you have touched on many fields that simulation would benefit such as healthcare and disaster management. I would like now to recall something you said...
Read MoreSimulation in Healthcare
Over the years, I have had several occasions to use medical facilities for myself and my family. Some visits were routine, such as for a diagnostic tests or images. Others were for much more critical...
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