Using Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) to Understand the Simulation Accessibility Problem

Simulation modelling is applied to a wide range of problems, including defense and healthcare. However, there is a concern within the simulation community that there is a limited use and implementation of simulation studies in practice. This suggests that despite its benefits, simulation may not be reaching its potential in making a real-world impact. The main reason for this could be that simulation tools are not widely accessible in industry. In this paper, we investigate the issues that affect simulation modelling accessibility through a workshop with simulation practitioners. We use Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA), a problem-structuring approach that allows for the stakeholder views to be expressed and linked in a systematic way. The causal map derived represents the emerging concepts and their effects, with the view to identifying their impact on the accessibility problem. We present our analysis of the issues and options identified. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications and recommendations for the future uptake of simulation

A Tutorial on Involving Stakeholders in Facilitated Simulation Studies

This tutorial introduces the PartiSim approach, aimed at supporting analysts and simulation modellers to carry out facilitated discrete event simulation studies. Facilitated simulation offers an alternative mode of engagement with stakeholders (clients) in simulation projects. It is particularly beneficial when modelling systems with complex behaviour, involving many stakeholders with plurality of opinions and objectives. PartiSim short for Participative Simulation, is a facilitated modelling approach developed to support simulation projects through a framework, stakeholder-oriented tools and manuals in facilitated workshops. A PartiSim study includes six stages, four of which involve facilitated workshops. PartiSim was developed more than 10 years ago. It can be applied to analyse operational problems in many contexts within the services and manufacturing domain. This tutorial presents the PartiSim framework and tools, some applications and example tools, a roadmap to adopting it and concludes with some tips for potential users

A participative and facilitative conceptual modelling framework for discrete event simulation studies in healthcare

Existing approaches to conceptual modelling (CM) in discrete-event simulation (DES) do not formally support the participation of a group of stakeholders. Simulation in healthcare can benefit from stakeholder participation as it makes possible to share multiple views and tacit knowledge from different parts of the system. We put forward a framework tailored to healthcare that supports the interaction of simulation modellers with a group of stakeholders to arrive at a common conceptual model. The framework incorporates two facilitated workshops. It consists of a package including: three key stages and sub-stages; activities and guidance; tools and prescribed outputs. The CM framework is tested in a real case study of an obesity system. The benefits of using this framework in healthcare studies and more widely in simulation are discussed. The paper also considers how the framework meets the conceptual modeling requirements

Modeling patient waiting times for an obesity service: a computer simulation study

Objective: To investigate the impact of alternative resource configurations on patient waiting times for obesity centers experiencing high referral rates. Study design: We developed a computer simulation model of an obesity service in an Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) providing lifestyle, pharmacotherapy and surgery treatment options for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Data collection: Model parameters on existing and projected demand and supply of treatments offered at an obesity service were collected. Principal findings: Simulation results showed that the introduction of an additional surgeon improves patient waiting times for surgery. The addition of one physician reduces the waiting list for pharmacotherapy clinics, but without an additional surgeon, the surgical part of the pathway experiences long waiting times. Demand for the obesity treatments can be met by adding new resources, but also by managing demand for services and reducing referrals into the service. A phased implementation of resources was also modeled to guide decisions. Conclusions: Simulation models can be used to identify resource configurations required to meet maximum waiting time targets from referral to treatment such as the UK’s NHS 18 week target. This is achieved by considering a number of future scenarios

Proposing a participative modelling framework for discrete event simulation studies

This paper puts forward PartiSim which is a participative framework for discrete event simulation (DES) consisting of six stages that span from the study initiation to implementation. Four of these stages involve facilitating the group of stakeholders in a workshop environment. These workshops enable collaboration by providing a forum for discussion and information sharing with the view to gaining a common understanding and developing actions to address the problem concerned by the stakeholders involved. The paper provides the motivation for such a study and a description of the aims of each stage. The paper concludes with some observations from the authors' experience of using this framework in terms of the usefulness of the framework to the modellers and stakeholders. Further research in collaborative and facilitated DES is recommended. © 2012 IEEE

A Tutorial on Participative Discrete Event Simulation in the Virtual Workshop Environment

Facilitated discrete event simulation offers an alternative mode of engagement with stakeholders (clients) in simulation projects. Pre-covid19 this was undertaken in face-to-face workshops but the new reality has meant that this is no longer possible for many of us around the globe. This tutorial explores PartiSim, short for Participative Simulation, as adapted to fit the new reality of holding virtual workshops with stakeholders. PartiSim is a participative and facilitated modelling approach developed to support simulation projects through a framework, stakeholder-oriented tools and manuals in facilitated workshops. We describe a typical PartiSim study consisting of six stages, four of which involve facilitated workshops and how it can be undertaken in a virtual workshop environment. We have developed games to provide those attending the tutorial with the experience of virtual facilitation

Is simulation in health different?

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Model development in discrete-event simulation and system dynamics: An empirical study of expert modellers

An empirical study comparing the model development process followed by experts in discrete-event simulation (DES) and system dynamics (SD) modelling is undertaken. verbal protocol analysis (VPA) is used to study the modelling process followed by ten expert modellers (5 SD and 5 DES). Participants are asked to build simulation models based on a case study and to think aloud while modelling. The generated verbal protocols are divided into seven modelling topics: problem structuring, conceptual modelling, data inputs, model coding, verification & validation, results & experimentation and implementation and then analyzed. Our results suggest that all modellers switch between modelling topics, however DES modellers follow a more linear progression. DES modellers focus significantly more on model coding and verification & validation, whereas SD modellers on conceptual modelling. Observations are made revealing some interesting differences in the way the two groups of modellers tackle the case. This paper contributes towards the comparison of DES and SD.Simulation Discrete-event simulation System dynamics Comparison Modelling practice

Facilitated conceptual modelling : practical issues and reflections

This paper discusses some practical issues relevant to facilitated conceptual modelling (CM). We consider facilitated CM as a process of undertaking CM primarily in facilitated workshops attended by a group of stakeholders. Facilitated workshops are a common practice in some fields of operational research (OR), System Dynamics (SD) and Problem Structuring Methods (PSM). The associated benefits of involving the stakeholders in the modelling process are reported in the literature such as enabling the mutual exploration of the problem situation and creating a strong ownership of the formulated problem. Further benefits related to CM are knowledge acquisition from domain experts, conflict resolution, fostering credibility and creativity. Reflecting on our experience, we consider the practical issues related to undertaking facilitated CM such as the group size and composition, team roles and the facilitator and the organization of workshops. The ideas put forward could be useful to modellers interested in undertaking facilitated CM

Comparing model development in discrete event simulation and system dynamics

This paper provides an empirical study on the comparison of model building in Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) and System Dynamics (SD). Verbal Protocol Analysis (VPA) is used to study the model building process of ten expert modellers (5 SD and 5 DES). Participants are asked to build a simulation model based on a prison population case study and to think aloud while modelling. The generated verbal protocols are divided into 7 modelling topics: problem structuring, conceptual modelling, data inputs, model coding, validation & verification, results & experimentation and implementation and then analyzed. Our results suggest that all modellers switch between modelling topics, however DES modellers follow a more linear progression compared to SD modellers. DES modellers focus significantly more on model coding and verification & validation, whereas SD modellers on conceptual modelling. This quantitative analysis of the processes followed by expert modellers contributes towards the comparison of DES and SD modelling