Developing a simulation strategy for British Airways OR

Many organisations have seen the use of simulation evolve, often in something of a piecemeal fashion. This may lead to some deficiencies in the way that simulation is employed. Therefore, it is useful to step back and reflect upon how the application of simulation could be improved. This paper describes such a project in which a simulation strategy was devised for the British Airways Operational Research Group. The first step involved a series of interviews with the operational research analysts and their customers through which an understanding of simulation use was developed. A SWOT analysis on the findings from these interviews revealed a number of issues that needed to be resolved. Proposals for addressing these issues were developed and refined through further discussions.