Optimization

This feature is no longer part of ProcessModel

SimRunner, including its optimization, is no longer part of ProcessModel.

Use PM Optimizer instead.

Optimization automatically searched many combinations of input values, such as how many resources to staff, to find the set that best met a goal like lowest cost or shortest time. It was part of SimRunner. In version 7 this is now PM Optimizer, which runs experiments to find the best settings and can promote a winning configuration to a scenario.

LegacyHow this worked in the previous version

Optimization performs experiments to find better ways to achieve the results you desire. Typically, most people use simulation* tools to predict and improve system performance or to establish the relationships between various system elements. By modeling the actual facility or process, you can conduct what-if analyses to determine the best way to improve system performance, this is optimization**.

• Simulation is the act of creating a model to represent an actual location (e.g., plant floor, bank lobby, or emergency room) or abstract, logical process.

** Testing various what-if scenarios to determine the best way to conduct operations.

What is SimRunner?

In ProcessModel, optimization is provided through the tool called SimRunner. With each optimization project*, SimRunner runs sophisticated optimization algorithms on your model to help you optimize multiple factors simultaneously. Each project requires a validated model, a standard by which to measure system performance (an objective function), and a group of factors that SimRunner may change to improve system performance. See: How to use SimRunner?

• When you conduct an analysis in SimRunner, you create a project containing the model and the results from any tests you run.

Benefits

Simulation allows you to find solutions to complex problems without incurring the tremendous costs associated with a trial and error approach. Optimization helps ensure that the solutions you implement are at or near their optimal values.

Unlike manual simulation experimentation which answers only specific what-if questions, SimRunner automatically seeks a course of action that will help optimize your entire system’s performance-essentially answering how to meet your objectives.

To help you present your findings, SimRunner allows you to output various types of reports:

• Data reports (for spreadsheets)
• Analysis reports (for text and word processing reports)
• Graphical reports (for charts and graphs)

You can print each of these reports or export them to other applications through common clipboard functions.