This panel session is based on the responses of simulationists representing various segments of simulation practice, to an article on the required skills of a simulation analyst. The perspectives represented are those of academia, government, industry, military, and research. First, the essence of the reference article is provided. Then, the five perspectives are presented. Finally, inferences are drawn from the five perspectives and the reference article.
Banks
HEIMO H. ADELSBERGER AND MARKUS BICK (ACADEMIA)The typical academic deals on the one hand with research activities and on the other hand with educational tasks. We want to start with a short statement of typical research areas within the field of simulation: modelling techniques, software and technological paradigms, process models, mathematical theories, and, occasionally, software applications. Accordingly, we can derive specific tasks performed by a simulation analyst. With respect to traditional educational programs, we distinguish between different qualification levels: 0 theoretical, methodological, and application oriented.Theoretical qualification implies applying theories as well as developing theories on one's own. This knowledge lasts approximately ten to twenty years. In contrast, methodological qualification enables the application of theories and the development of new products and services, lasting approximately five to fifteen years. Application oriented qualification supports the use of software products. We can say that this qualification is valid for approximately two to five years.According to this qualification system, academic education relates to theoretical and methodological knowledge. This classification underlines the results of R&B. All things considered, we agree with R&B with respect to the theoretical fundamentals and agree that the typical tasks performed by a simulation analyst are those shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Simulation analysts also need skills or traits such as ability to listen and negotiate, possession of a strong work ethic and the ability to build rapport with customers.Based on the above tasks and traits, we derive curricula for educating simulation analysts. Teaching the highly complex domain of simulation requires well-elaborated strategies for efficient education. So far, these strategies and the corresponding curricula have been provided by traditional academic education predominantly as a part of graduate programs in, industrial engineering, computer science, operations research, management science, and other related fields. Correspondingly, we can view this kind of traditional education as a 'preliminary action plan.'Currently, the technological impact of information and communication technologies (ICT), especially the internet, enables students and teachers to participate in a global education community, independent from time and location. Recent educational concepts (e.g., the virtual or corporate university, and electronic educational markets) underline this development within the educational and tra...