The need for simulation
• Many operations systems are interconnected and
subject to both variability and complexity.
• It is very difficult to predict the performance of systems
that are potentially subject to interconnected,
variability and complexity.
• Simulation models, however, are able explicitly to
represent the variability, interconnectedness and
complexity of a system.
• As a result, it is possible with a simulation to predict
system performance, to compare alternative system
designs and to determine the effect of alternative
policies on system performance.