ABSTRACT
After the simulation practitioner has determined the experimental design alternatives, attention can be directed toward the analysis phase of the simulation project. The function of this phase is to provide the simulation practitioner with the information necessary to provide decision recommendations with respect to the project objectives. The analysis phase is the most statistically challenging project phase for the simulation practitioner. A review of basic statistics before we undertake the analysis phase may be beneficial (Johnson et al., 1999). A complete but somewhat more theoretical approach to the techniques in the analysis is also covered by Law and Kelton (2000). However, the ready availability of statistical functions in Excel and the statistical analysis features found in most dedicated simulation software packages help insulate the practitioner from getting unnecessarily bogged down in this phase. The stepby-step process outlined in this chapter should provide valuable guidance for the practitioner regardless of the currency of the practitioner’s statistical skills.
