Page 68 - DCAP208_Management Support Systems

Unit 5: Modeling and Analysis

Notes

Task Make distinction between Time Dependent Simulation and Time Independent
Simulation.

5.5.6 Visual Interactive Simulation

We examine methods that show a decision maker a representation of the decision-making
situation in action as it runs through scenarios of the decision maker’s choices of alternatives.
“These powerful methods overcome some of the inadequacies of conventional methods and
help build trust in the solution attained because they can be visualized directly”.
5.5.7 Conventional Simulation Inadequacies

Simulation is a descriptive and mathematics-based method for gaining insight into complex
decision-making situations. Simulation does not usually allow decision makers to see how a
solution to a complex problem evolves over time, nor can decision makers interact with the
simulation. Simulation generally reports statistical results at the end of experiments.

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Caution If the simulation results do not match the intuition or judgment of the decision
maker, a confidence gap in the results can occur.

5.5.8 Visual Interactive Simulation

Visual Interactive Simulation (VIS) also known as Visual Interactive Modeling (VIM) and Visual
Interactive Problem Solving is a simulation method that lets decision makers see what the
model is doing and how it interacts with the decisions made, as they are made. The user can
employ his knowledge to determine and try different decision strategies while interacting with
the model. Decision maker also contribute to model validation, and support and trust their
results. VIS uses animated computer graphics display to present the impact of different decisions.
It differs from regular graphics in that the user can adjust the decision-making process and see
the results of the intervention. A visual model is a graphic used as an integral part of decision
making or problem solving. VIS displays the effects of different decisions in graphic form on a
computer screen.

Did u know? The simulation system identified the most important input factors that
significantly affected performance.

5.5.9 Visual Interactive Models

Visual Interactive Simulation can represent static or dynamic systems:
Static models display a visual image of the result of one decision alternative at a time.
Dynamic models display systems that evolve over time, and the evolution is represented
by animation.
The latest visual simulation technology has been coupled with the concept of virtual reality,
where an artificial world is created for a number of purposes, from training to entertainment to
viewing data in an artificial landscape. VIM in DSS has been used in several operations

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