Operational Research Society: Simulation Study Group

UK Simulation Society

Joint One Day Meeting

Simulation Output Analysis

Wednesday 9th May 2001, 9:30am-4:00pm

Executive MBA Teaching Centre

Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry

Simulation is now one of the most commonly used tools in the study of complex systems. There are many powerful simulation packages available and the range of applications is wide. However analysis of the resulting output has lagged in development. It is only in recent years that more sophisticate approaches have been advocated and studied. A number of international conferences and workshops have been held in the last five years on the theme of simulation output and its analysis. This workshop will review the most recent advances in output analysis and should afford the practitioner an up-to-date overview of current methodology and approaches. There will also be opportunity for networking with practitioners and academics.

10:00-10:30 Coffee

10:30-11:00 Introduction: Key Issues in Output Analysis

Russell Cheng (University of Southampton)

11:00-12:00 The Development of Simulation Meta-Models using Neural Networks

Robert Hurrion (University of Warwick)

The presentation will discuss the use of neural networks in order to develop simulation meta-models i.e. models of simulation models. Examples will be used in order to show the visualisation of results. The use of this type of meta-model will also be discussed for possible optimisation.

12:00-13:30 Lunch

13:30-14:30 Simulation Optimisation

Russell Cheng (University of Southampton)

Basic simulation is non-optimising. However, the study of a complex system often has as its goal the improvement or optimisation of its performance. This talk will survey current issues and recent progress in theoretical optimisation methods as well as issues and recent progress in the practical implementation of methods.

14:30-14:50 Tea

14:50-15:50 Software for Output Analysis

Mark Elder (Strathclyde University and Simul8)

Most simulation software suppliers provide ‘optimising’ tools with their software. There is also a range of software tools for more general output analysis. A review of some of these software tools will be given.

15:50-16:00 Discussion and Close

Booking a Place

To cover catering costs there is a £10 charge for this meeting. Please reserve a place by sending a cheque (payable to the UK Simulation Society), giving your name and contact details, to:

Dr Stewart Robinson, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL

Directions to the meeting can be found at: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/info/maps.html

The Executive MBA Teaching Centre is on the central campus (building 14)

For further details please contact:

Stewart Robinson (tel: 02476-522132, email: stewart.robinson@warwick.ac.uk)