Using a Soft Systems Methodology framework to guide the conceptual modeling process in discrete event simulation

Montevechi, José Arnaldo Barra; Friend, Jonathan Daniel

doi:10.1109/wsc.2012.6465179

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It has been argued that SSM could form a synergetic pair with DES in the investigation of complex organisational issues. For instance, SSM could support the initial qualitative investigation in conceptual modelling (Montevechi & Friend, 2012) through structuring data collection, abstracting this knowledge into conceptual models, and setting objectives for the simulation study (Kotiadis, 2010;Pidd, 2010). SSM is also based on the idea that reality is socially constructed through different people holding different worldviews on any situation (Checkland, 1981), and it offers a systemic approach to investigate these worldviews.…”

Section: Combining Ssm and Desmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Soft Systems Methodology, ethnographic observation, and discrete-event simulation: A case study in cancer care

Lamé

Jouini

Cardinal

2019

Journal of the Operational Research Society

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We describe a project where discrete-event simulation (DES) is combined with Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and ethnographic observation to support the improvement of patient flows in an outpatient chemotherapy unit and a chemotherapy preparation pharmacy unit. The project combines three interesting characteristics. First, we rely on ethnographic observation to explore the problem situation and frame the problem, a technique rarely reported in operational research (OR). Second, this leads us to define several root definitions, an aspect that remains overlooked in studies combining SSM and DES. Finally, the project stands at the interface between two departments (outpatient oncology unit and chemotherapy preparation pharmacy unit), a situation seldom explored in healthcare OR but where SSM has arguably a lot to offer to help identify and accommodate diverging objectives. We framed the problem, developed a simulation model, explored scenarios and refined a preferred one into a new business process. However, the proposed changes were not implemented. We analyse the outcomes of the project, the contribution of each method and their integration into an intervention. The paper provides insights on how SSM and DES can be combined in practice, and how the potential of ethnographic observation can be leveraged in this context.

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Section: Combining Ssm and Desmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Soft Systems Methodology, ethnographic observation, and discrete-event simulation: A case study in cancer care

Lamé

Jouini

Cardinal

2019

Journal of the Operational Research Society

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“…45,46 Conceptual modeling facilitates capturing essential information for the simulation model and guides a collaborative approach in developing the model. 47,48 It is an essential stage that takes place in any simulation study, whether explicitly through a documented approach, or implicitly within the mind of the modeler. 49,50…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case study on the use of a conceptual modeling framework for construction simulation

et al. 2021

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Construction simulation has been an active area of research in the last six decades. Nevertheless, there has been a gap between academia and industry in realizing the capabilities of simulation to support decision-making in construction. One of the well-recognized reasons is the difficulty of undertaking comprehensive simulation studies by construction practitioners, who usually lack sufficient knowledge and skills to adequately build simulation models. Efforts to bridge this gap have been focused on simplifying the computer coding and model implementation stages of construction simulation studies with limited research on the early stage of defining the model and abstracting the system, i.e., conceptual modeling. The conceptual modeling stage is known to be one of the most difficult tasks in a simulation study. Thus, several frameworks to support building conceptual models have been proposed in simulation literature. This study contributes to the research efforts to promote simulation in the construction industry through the adoption of a conceptual modeling framework. It demonstrates the application of the proposed conceptual modeling framework in a case study of piling operations. The findings of this paper reinforced the significance of conceptual modeling by confirming the role of the conceptual model as a communication link between stakeholders. Moreover, the conceptual model was used as a specification document for developing a flexible model that can be replicated in other settings. The use of a documented conceptual model assisted in managing the overall simulation study efficiently, which, in turn, lead to reductions in time and effort for different modeling activities.

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“…In the DES literature there are not many structured approaches to guide the modeler in generating a SD. There are number of interesting works that discuss the CM framework and provide effective guidelines on how to perform different phases of CM (Kotiadis, Tako, and Vasilakis 2013; Van der Zee and Van der Vorst 2007; Montevechi and Friend 2012;Balci and Ormsby 2007;Robinson 2008). However, most of this work is either domain-specific (healthcare, military, engineering) or descriptive in nature, and so lack a precise structure for creating conceptual models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the structred analysis and design technique (SADT) in simulation conceptual modeling

Ahmed

2014

Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference 2014

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Conceptual Modeling (CM) has gained a lot of interest in the recent years and it is widely agreed that CM is the most important phase of simulation study. Despite its significance, there are very few techniques that can help to develop well-structured and concise conceptual models. This paper proposes the use of the Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT) from software engineering to develop conceptual models. SADT has proven to be successful in the development of software systems, specifically in the requirements gathering phase. This paper contributes to the area of CM by proposing a new framework for developing conceptual models which focuses mainly on the first phase of CM, that of System Description (SD). A simple case, the Panorama Televisions production plant, is used to illustrate the application of this approach. The benefits and limitations of this framework are discussed.

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Using a Soft Systems Methodology framework to guide the conceptual modeling process in discrete event simulation

Cited by 7 publications

References 19 publications

Combining Soft Systems Methodology, ethnographic observation, and discrete-event simulation: A case study in cancer care

Combining Soft Systems Methodology, ethnographic observation, and discrete-event simulation: A case study in cancer care

A case study on the use of a conceptual modeling framework for construction simulation

Using the structred analysis and design technique (SADT) in simulation conceptual modeling

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