Ensuring the successful adoption of discrete event simulation in a manufacturing environment

Discrete event simulation has long been recognized as a valuable tool for manufacturers, but converting the recognition of value into an embrace of the technology can be a challenge. Like most technologies with which an organization has little or no experience, timing and the manner in which simulation is introduced can significantly influence whether its adoption will succeed or fail. Without careful planning and adequate foresight, simulation technology will not prove its benefits in the workplace and will be viewed as an unnecessary expense. We examine the characteristics that signal the need for discrete event simulation, and we discuss the strategies and methods we have found to ensure its successful adoption.