ABSTRACT
Several stages in the development of a simulation model can be identified. At its most basic this development involves an iterative process which facilitates the evolution of an appropriate model from an initial simplified version. The main activities in the process are as follows (Chubb et al. 1987):
Problem formulation: The definition of the problem to be studied including a statement of the problem solving objective. Model building: The abstraction of the system into mathematical-logical relationships in accordance with the problem formulation. Data acquisition: The identification, specification and collection of data for model development and subsequent system analysis. Model development and translation: The preparation of the model for computer processing. Model verification: The process of establishing that the computer program executes as intended. Model validation: The process of establishing that a desired accuracy or correspondence exists between the simulation model and the real system. Design of experiments: The process of establishing the experimental conditions for using the model. Experimentation: The undertaking of statistical experiments using the model. Analysis of results: Consideration of results in the context of the objective formulated earlier. Implementation: Implementation of the recommendations arising from the analysis of results.
