Keywords
CONCEPTUAL MODELING;DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATIONAdditional Keywords not in the list above
simulation development, systems engineering, valdiation, verfication and accreditationLearning Objective 1
The learner will be able to define Simulation Conceptual Modelling terminologyLearning Objective 2
The learner will be able to recognize Simulation Conceptual Modeling development phasesLearning Objective 3
The learner will be able to list five purposes for simulation useLearning Objective 4
The learner will be able to explain the difference between informal and formal Simulation Conceptual ModelsLearning Objective 5
The learner will be able to describe how to use tools for conceptual modelingAbstract
Simulation conceptual modeling is a critical step in simulation development frequently overlooked in the rush to demonstrate program progress. A simulation conceptual model is an abstraction from either the existing or a notional physical world that serves as a frame of reference for further simulation development by documenting simulation-independent views of important entities and their key actions and interactions. A simulation conceptual model describes what the simulation will represent, the assumptions limiting those representations, and other capabilities needed to satisfy the stakeholder’s requirements. It bridges between these requirements and simulation design. It can bound the systems engineering problem and provide valuable artifacts for simulation validation, verification, and accreditation. The emergence of Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) has accentuated the need for well-formed simulation conceptual models.
This tutorial will present the theory and application of simulation conceptual modeling as documented during the research done by the NATO MSG 058. In addition, Use Cases that have been drawn from previous conference presentations will be presented to illustrate how conceptual modeling has been performed. Additional work is necessary to mature the state-of-the-art of simulation conceptual modeling before a recommended practices guide could be standardized. This tutorial has been created to continue the maturation of the simulation conceptual modeling best practices.