Implementing a discrete-event simulation software selection methodology for supporting decision making at Accenture

Abstract

For large international companies with their own simulation team, it is often hard to make a decision related to selection of new discrete-event simulation software. This paper presents a comprehensive discrete-event simulation software selection methodology that has been successfully used for decision making at Accenture consulting company. Accenture already used a simulation tool at the start of the project, but wanted to find out whether the current tool used still was the most appropriate one for its needs, and to evaluate the latest discrete-event simulation tools. The developed methodology consists of two phases: phase 1 quickly reduces the long list to a short list of packages, and phase 2 matches the requirements of the company with the features of the simulation package in detail. Successful application of the proposed methodology indicates its possible application for decision making in other large organisations, provided that the study is performed by a third party to avoid risks of influencing the outcome of the selection process.

Keywords:

• simulation
• software selection
• methodology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank software vendors who participated in the evaluation processes especially Simul8 Corporation, Imagine That Inc., Enterprise Dynamics Corp., ProModel Corporation, and Rockwell Software. The authors would also like to thank Mr Gilles Bardonnet of Accenture, Paris, for his contribution and feedback provided for the project described in this manuscript. Dr Tewoldeberhan has conducted research described in this paper when he was at Delft University of Technology.