When To Use Agent Based Modelling & Simulation
dseConsulting has created this check list* to help you to identify when Agent Based Modelling & Simulation might be your best option to support strategic decision-making.
- Your markets are fragmented and there are multiple groups or segments within a population that may behave differently
- The past is no prediction of the future, but surprises can often be explained with the power of hindsight
- Your problem is complex and it is difficult to predict how the system will evolve
- Any element of strategic behaviour or co-operation exists
- Learning or behaviour is important
- Your population has a natural representation of an agent and system performance is significantly related to this agent
- Estimations of inputs are missing, unavailable or not sufficiently realistic
- Structural elements are the result, rather than an input to, your model
- There is a geo-spatial element to your model
- You are uncomfortable with the huge assumptions required by Discrete Event Simulation (DES), System Dynamics (SD) or spreadsheet based models
* With thanks to Charles Macal whose thoughts during 2010’s OR conference inspired this list.
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