Acceptance of Simulation; Insights and Guidelines from a DES Project

Abstract: Companies are daily facing challenges to become more efficient and to gain market shares. To solve these challenges discrete event simulation (DES) can be used as a strategic and tactical decision-making tool. Using simulation will result in; more cost effective analyses, less resources spent on implementation and an increased understanding of why things happen in the system. However, even if simulation has many advantages, there remain some hesitance to use it. Together with a manufacturing company, this master thesis has been conducted as a simulation project to understand what influences acceptance of simulation. Given the stated situation, and the written literature, this master thesis aims to answer the following questions; How can a DES-project affect the acceptance of simulation? What factors can affect the acceptance of simulation, and how can these factors be changed? To answer the question, a literature study and two case studies were carried out, including observations, interviews and surveys from three in parallel simulation projects. Based on these, recommendations and guidelines have been formulated to aid future DES projects and to increase the usage of simulation as a business tool. Apart from the recommendations, three conclusions have been drawn; - Acceptance of simulation is dependent on many various things and it therefore requires understanding and involvement. - Factors with indirect impact on acceptance, so called moderators, are important to consider to obtain acceptance. - Many activities need some acceptance before they are performed, and therefore needs to be supported in the organization.