Verify Distribution Values

When you want to check the values returned by a distribution, e.g. to check for negative numbers. The model object isn’t used like most Model Objects in that it isn’t copied into an existing model to add functionality. It is simply intended to be used as a stand-alone test of your distributions. The variable in the model can be used to view the minimum/maximum values, or export each variable value to Excel.

Verify Distribution Values model image

Where to Find the Model Object

The following model object can be found in the model objects directory:

Misc \ Verify Distribution Values

Difficulty Level

Ease of Use: Easy
Ease of Modification: Easy

How to Use the Model Object

Open Your Model: Open your model or create a new blank model.
Insert the Model Object into a New Model
1. Locate the model object Verify Distribution Values and select the insert button.
2. Move the cursor to the point of insertion and left mouse-click. The upper left corner of the model object will be inserted at the location of the mouse-click.
  The model object does not need to be added to your primary model. You should save a temporary model to test the distribution.
Define Values: Go to the action logic tab of Verify Distribution Values, replace the triangular distribution (T(1,10,15)) with the distribution you want to test.
Steps to Verify Distribution Values
1. Simulate the model: It will run for 40 hrs sending over 140,000 entities through your distribution.
2. At the end of the simulation, click No to the prompt ‘Do you want to see the results?
3. Click View Output report icon in the toolbar.
4. Click the Variables tab to review the variable statistics like; minimum, maximum and average values for the variable v_Test1.
5. Click the second Excel icon in the toolbar to export variable data to Excel, choose the location where you wish to save the file and click Save, select v_Test1 Value History and then click Export. Goto the location where the variable export was saved to review the Excel file.
  If you are using the distribution for a time value make sure it does not return negative values! If you see that the distribution returns negative values, you will either need to select another distribution, or create action logic to to bypass the negative values returned by the distribution. For example:
  
  a_Attrib = N(3,1)
  If a_Attrib < 1 Then {Time 1 Min}
  Else {Time a_Attrib Min}