Graphical simulation modeling as a management tool

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of graphic simulation as a management tool for early stage evaluation of an amusement park ride. This project used MODSIM II to provide support for a discrete event simulation of the ride. During the Blue Sky and Feasibility stages of a project, the interdependencies of conflicting ride performance factors must be evaluated. However, attempting to explain the decision criteria factors of a ride system to non-technical creative team members can be a tedious and difficult task. This is currently done through the use of text documents such as drawings, system requirement specifications, and scope documents. The ability to graphically animate conflicting ride performance criteria were analyzed as a communication tool for this purpose. The methodology of the case study was to use decision analysis to assess the expected utility of both graphical simulation modeling and non simulation design techniques.