Objectives Archives

General 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...

Why 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...

Simulation 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....

We Are Not Making Swiss Watches

Please bear with me while I mention three apparently unrelated topics. I have a very good friend Harry who often offers me advice. Fortunately for me, the fact that I don’t want the advice has...

Executing a Simulation Project for the Simple Minded

This week I thought I would step back and offer a somewhat light-hearted summary of some of the things we have covered. Here are five simple steps for executing a simulation project. 1. Figure out...

Well – Managed – Agility

In previous articles we discussed a definition of agility and the potential oxymoron of managed agility. I coined the phrase “well managed agility” as part of the solution. I was asked why I used the...

Well Managed Agility – Start With No

Last time we talked about a definition of agility: The capability of being flexible and responsive to changes in the world around you. And I suggested that Well Managed Agility is one part of the...

Just Enough Agility

Agility is the capability to be flexible, responsive, and adaptive to the changes happening around you. When a stakeholder asks you to deliver something you had not planned on, your response is a measure of...

Making the Date

It is rarely pleasant to miss a deadline, and sometimes it can be downright career-limiting. Last week, we talked about some problems that contribute to missed project dates. Now let’s explore some solutions. Step 1...

Missing the Date – Arriving Late to the Party

How many times have you shown up late to an event? Perhaps something came up at the last minute. Perhaps you encountered road construction. Or maybe you just failed to think ahead. Sometimes it all...

Project Objectives and Specifications – Driving your Customer to Success

Most projects start with a concrete deliverable date, but often only a rough idea of what will be delivered and only a vague idea of how it will be done. But as the old saying...