Generic case studies for manufacturing simulation applications

Manufacturing managers typically commission simulation case studies to support their decision-making processes. These studies are used to evaluate alternative solutions to manufacturing problems in areas such as plant layout, scheduling, capacity planning, capital equipment acquisition, inventory management, and supply chain planning. Procedures for performing case studies vary from organization to organization, and situation to situation. It is possible that two different simulation analysts faced with the same manufacturing problem would perform their case studies differently, obtain different results, and reach different conclusions. The authors contend that standardization of the case study methodology and development of generic case studies would increase the likelihood that the simulation process will be deterministic, i.e., produce repeatable results. We present background on case studies and makes recommendations concerning the advancement of manufacturing simulation case study methods and practices.