Definition
Production Runs are the final, high-fidelity simulation executions used to generate the data for analysis and decision-making. They occur after the model has been verified and validated.
Why It Matters
Improper production runs (e.g., failing to account for warm-up or using insufficient run lengths) lead to biased data and flawed decisions. If a factory or supply chain is built based on “empty” system data rather than steady-state data, it will fail to meet throughput targets in reality, incurring massive capital loss and operational disruption.
Core Concepts
- Warm-up Period: For nonterminating systems, the initial time period where the system is moving from “empty” to “steady state” is discarded (Initial Transient).
- Run Length: The duration of a single simulation replication. It must be long enough to capture the full cycle of system behavior.
- Data Collection: MOPs are recorded only during the “Steady State” portion of the run.
- Seed Management: Ensuring unique random number streams for each replication to maintain independence.