2. Why Use Modeling and Simulation? The Pros and Cons
Like any powerful tool, modeling and simulation come with a distinct set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these helps us know when and how to apply them effectively.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| <ul><li>Understand Complex Systems: It allows us to see how a system operates and understand the interactions between its parts without working on the real thing.</li><li>Test Changes Safely: We can experiment with new policies, procedures, or designs and see their effects on the output without disrupting the actual system.</li><li>Identify Problems: It allows us to perform bottleneck analysis to find what causes delays or inefficiencies in a work process.</li></ul> | <ul><li>Requires Expertise: Designing an accurate and useful model is an art that requires significant domain knowledge, training, and experience.</li><li>Can Be Expensive: The simulation process requires manpower and can be a time-consuming and expensive undertaking.</li><li>Results Need Interpretation: The output of a simulation can be difficult to translate and often requires an expert to properly understand and apply the results.</li></ul> |
Knowing the benefits and drawbacks, we can now look at the structured process used to create a reliable simulation.