仿真误区2：Leaving analysis for the end

focuscon

Deborah A. Sadowski ，Mark R. Grabau
0 q! O! p  m! b& k" F" U# w, FThere'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,
growing in scope as the model progresses.  
/ F, u  @0 f* i# K8 \) ]+ i% P' `$ [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-
' Y9 L( Y0 \2 a6 C8 S+ sment, analyze, or think.
' @8 W  j* `& R; AInstead, 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.