1st Edition

Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation

    527 Pages 110 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Bringing together an international group of researchers involved in military, business, and health modeling and simulation, Conceptual Modeling for Discrete-Event Simulation presents a comprehensive view of the current state of the art in the field. The book addresses a host of issues, including:

    • What is a conceptual model?
    • How is conceptual modeling performed in general and in specific modeling domains?
    • What is the role of established approaches in conceptual modeling?

    Each of the book’s six parts focuses on a different aspect of conceptual modeling for simulation. The first section discusses the purpose and requirements of a conceptual model. The next set of chapters provides frameworks and tools for conceptual modeling. The book then describes the use of soft systems methodology for model structuring as well as the application of software engineering methods and tools for model specification. After illustrating how conceptual modeling is adopted in the military and semiconductor manufacturing, the book concludes with a discussion on future research directions.

    This volume offers a broad, multifaceted account of the field by presenting diverse perspectives on what conceptual modeling entails. It also provides a basis upon which these perspectives can be compared.

    Foundations of Conceptual Modeling
    Conceptual Modeling for Simulation: Definition and Requirements, Stewart Robinson
    Complexity, Level of Detail, and Model Performance, Roger J. Brooks
    Improving the Understanding of Conceptual Modeling, Wang Wang and Roger J. Brooks

    Conceptual Modeling Frameworks
    A Framework for Simulation Conceptual Modeling, Stewart Robinson
    Developing Participative Simulation Models: Framing Decomposition Principles for Joint Understanding, Durk-Jouke van der Zee
    The ABCmod Conceptual Modeling Framework, Gilbert Arbez and Louis G. Birta
    Conceptual Modeling Notations and Techniques, N. Alpay Karagöz and Onur Demirörs
    Conceptual Modeling in Practice: A Systematic Approach, David Haydon

    Soft Systems Methodology for Conceptual Modeling
    Making Sure You Tackle the Right Problem: Linking Hard and Soft Methods in Simulation Practice, Michael Pidd
    Using Soft Systems Methodology in Conceptual Modeling: A Case Study in Intermediate Health Care, Kathy Kotiadis

    Software Engineering for Conceptual Modeling
    An Evaluation of SysML to Support Simulation Modeling, Paul Liston, Kamil Erkan Kabak, Peter Dungan, James Byrne, Paul Young, and Cathal Heavey
    Development of a Process Modeling Tool for Simulation, John Ryan and Cathal Heavey
    Methods for Conceptual Model Representation, Stephan Onggo
    Conceptual Modeling for Composition of Model-Based Complex Systems, Andreas Tolk, Saikou Y. Diallo, Robert D. King, Charles D. Turnitsa, and Jose J. Padilla
    UML-Based Conceptual Models and V&V, Ö. Özgür Tanrıöver and Semih Bilgen

    Domain-Specific Conceptual Modeling
    Conceptual Modeling Evolution within U.S. Defense Communities: The View from the Simulation Interoperability Workshop, Dale K. Pace
    On the Simplification of Semiconductor Wafer Factory Simulation Models, Ralf Sprenger and Oliver Rose

    Conclusion
    Conceptual Modeling: Past, Present, and Future, Durk-Jouke van der Zee, Roger J. Brooks, Stewart Robinson, and Kathy Kotiadis

    Index

    Biography

    Stewart Robinson is a professor of operational research and associate dean for specialist masters programmes at the University of Warwick Business School.

    Roger J. Brooks is a lecturer in the management science department at Lancaster University.

    Kathy Kotiadis is an assistant professor at the University of Warwick Business School and co-chair of the UK Simulation Special Interest Group.

    Durk-Jouke van der Zee is an associate professor of operations in the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Groningen.

    … a comprehensive account of the various aspects of conceptual modeling. … a very useful supplement to the traditional literature on simulation methods. The book will also be very useful to teachers and students. … this book offers rich material for an adequate expansion of any simulation course … Furthermore, it can be used in an autonomous course on modeling. … Overall, the book is a comprehensive and useful review of the state of the art of conceptual modeling ideas, approaches, and applications. I recommend it to simulation practitioners, researchers, and teachers.
    Computing Reviews, January 2011

    This volume collects different perspectives on modeling the dynamics of a system as a series of discrete events at which the state of the system changes. … The contributors investigate the relationship between complexity and model performance, show how software engineering principles can be applied to conceptual modeling for discrete-event simulation, and address the importance of structuring the problem effectively.
    SciTech Book News, February 2011