When the model has been checked to be valid the simulation can be run.
1 To run the simulation, select Tools > SA Simulator > Run Simulation.
2 You will be prompted to save the diagram; click Yes.
Note When you run the simulation, the simulation validation will also automatically trigger validation of the diagram. If there are any errors then they will be reported. Any errors with an asterisk (*) next to them must be fixed before the simulation can be run.
If no errors with asterisks are found, SA Viewer will launch, and the simulation will begin. SA Viewer presents a SA Simulator window that presents the IDEF3 Process Flow diagram.
3 When the SA Simulator becomes available you must select the ‘Run’ button (a small, black, forward-pointing arrowhead in the lower left corner) to start the simulation. All run controls for the simulator (run, pause, fast forward, reverse) are located in the lower left corner.
View the simulation
Notice how a picture of a document runs through the Process Flow diagram. Numbers at the bottom of each process show if a person is working on the object at any given time.
Transformation of the Order object into a Shipment object
•Examine the Ensure Stock process (right-hand side of the diagram). Notice how a picture of a document (denoting an order) goes in, and a picture of a box (denoting a shipment) goes out. Remember that we reviewed how to transform an object when Creating Objects earlier in this tutorial.
Adjusting the speed of the simulation
1 You can speed up the simulation by changing the speed at which the objects run through the Process Flow diagram. You do this by adjusting the speed bar in the bottom left of the dialog, to the immediate right of the run controls, next to the figure of the walking person.
2 Let the simulation run its course. Observe the reports provided on screen. The information at the bottom of this topic summarizes what the SA Simulator window provides. The SA Viewer help (accessed by selecting Help > Contents in the SA Simulator window’s menu). provides more details on the various reports and features provided by SA Viewer.
3 You can stop the simulation at any time by pressing the Stop button in the Run Controls (lower left-hand corner).
SA Simulator window features
•Context diagram window – the SA Simulator automatically runs with the context diagram open in a window.
•Child diagram window – up to five child diagrams can be opened from the window menu, the diagram window selector determines which diagram appears in the window.
•Run controls – stop, pause, play or fast forward the simulation.
•Run length – runs the simulation to a specified end time.
•Simulation clock – displays the current simulation time.
•Breakdown/start-up – enables the user to experiment with the effect of ‘breaking’ a particular element of the model. The element can subsequently be ‘repaired’ if required.
•Summary and detailed dashboard reports – available in separate windows.
•Analysis reports – pre-defined reports analyze throughput, delays, sigma ratings and costing, and so on.
•MS Excel output – option to save detailed dashboard statistics to a specified Microsoft Excel file and worksheet.
•User reports – one or more model elements can be selected when the simulation is stopped and reports produced using right-click.
