IE 453: The Quiz Show

1. What is CRN? When and why would you use this technique?
CRN means common random numbers. You would use it when comparing two different systems to
see, statistically, which system is better.
2. Describe what you must do in your model of each system to be able to perform a correct common
random number analysis.
You must make random numbers common between two systems. Whenever a distribution is
specified in system 1, a specific seed is also specified. The same seed must be kept in system 2.
How does CRN analysis reduce variance in the output? Give the mathematical proof.
When it is independent, the covariance is equal to zero. When a CRN is put into place, it creates a
positive correlation. This means that you are subtracting a positive number from Var(X Y), which
reduces the variance.
3. When and why is the Truncation/Replication output analysis method used?
It is used to analyze a steady state, non-terminating system. A simulated system starts in an idle
environment which does accurately reflect the starting point of the real world system. In simulation
output, we identify the output data from a long run where the initial or warm up period of data ends
and where steady state begins. From this point, where the steady state begins, we make multiple
replications points and create a CI.
4. Assume a non-terminating system, average flow time, one model, and 20 replications. You can
calculate the 95% CI two ways:
a. No warm-up period specified
b. With a warm-up period specified
How and why will they differ?
A non-terminating system implies that you want analyze the steady state behavior, so with no
warm-up, if you include the initial warm-up transient data, it biases or skews the data. (i.e. lower the
flow time as opposed to the actual flow time) With a warm-up period specified, the data has no bias
nor is it skewed. (i.e. higher flow time will accurately reflect the data)
5. Why would you ever want to collect statistics on resource utilization, such that total utilization is
divided into different types of utilization based on the state of the resource?
If the resource is occupied by an entity, it is not necessarily doing any value added work. This implies
it could be waiting on the conveyer, chilling, bullshitting, etc. The job of an IE is to reduce the waste
or, better yet, cut it out entirely if possible.
6. Write the random number generator, . How do you get a random number?
This is called the linear congruent generator. Z
i-1
is the previous iteration and Z
0
is the user specified
seed value. The parameter values, which are specified by the person who wrote the generator
code, are a, c, and m. Z
i
is the integer remainder, and mod(m) means the term in the parentheses is
divided by m. : This r
i
value is always between zero and one.
7. Using the same random number generator, how would you get 25 unique random number streams?
You need 25 unique seed (Z
0
) values.
8. Explain what it means to conduct a 2
2
experiment design (what you do and why), how many
different simulation models are needed to collect the necessary data?
Assuming all of the assumptions are in check or correct, the output data is what can be used in an
ANOVA table. This analysis method can be used to determine if either factor has a statistical effect
on the output. Since there are four treatment factors, four models are need, one for each treatment
factor. Similarly, if 16 treatment factors are present, 16 models would be needed.
9. In a simulation model, what happens if an entity leaves the system, but still has control of a
resource?
Simulations do what the user programs them to do. If an entity still has control over a resource and
leaves the system, then then entity will do just that and leave the system with control of a resource.
However, eventually the system will stop because the queue will become too long or there are not
enough events on the event calendar.
10. Suppose you need to analyze steady state behavior of a system. Define steady state.
Steady state is when the simulated system has successfully completed the warm-up period to a
point, where the behavior of the system is defined by the variability or variance of the system. The
range stays the same and the variance gets to a consistent level in the system.
11. What is batch means analysis, and when would you use it?
It is used in non-terminating, steady state systems. It is used when there is only one replication. The
user must identify the warm-up period and truncate that out. Then, the user must specify the batch
size, and calculate the mean for each. The means must be independent via statistical testing and the
CI must be done. It this analysis does not work, the batch size(s) must be doubled and then the user
can retest.
12. Give two examples of free path material handlers and fixed path material handlers.
Two examples of free path material are people and forklifts. Two examples of fixed path material
handlers are conveyer belts and a crane.
13. Consider the input data: a collected sample of data and the data is discrete. What goodness of fit
methodology could you use to analyze this data and why?
The Chi-square (X
2
) can be used to analyze the discrete data. The K-S test does not apply to discrete
data.
14. What does the 90% CI for the mean of the flow time is 8.9 to 12.5 hours mean?
We are 90% confident that the true mean of the flow time is 8.9 to 12.5 hours.
15. What is relative precision output analysis? When do you use it and how do you implement it?
It is the one system you are analyzing. It is important to know that the CI = %*mean. You must try
to identify how many more replications are needed using an equation. (Equation was on first exam,
need to look it up)
16. A part might get routed through a system: what is the difference between conditional and
probabilistic routing with an example of each?
Conditional is based on a condition in the system or an entity. An example is the condition of the
machine is busy, and, as a result, the part stays on the conveyor. Probabilistic is when historical data
that we have some percentage of the time. An example of this is a person goes to a food line versus
the candy line x% of the time.
17. When conducting a 2
2
experimental design: if both main effects are NOT significant and the
interaction term is significant, you may immediately conclude that the main effects are significant.
a. FALSE
18. You are thinking of doing a simulation project: Simulation practitioners typically recommend that
you spend about 5% of your total project time on planning.
a. FALSE, they recommend you spend 25% of your total project time
19. If I am modeling a system that has 25 work stations and orders arrive at different times throughout
the data, I expect the relationship between average flow time and average (WIP) work in progress to
be .
a. FALSE, the equation above applies to a single machine with all parts ready to go at time t=0
20. If I need to batch entities, but later need to collect statistics on each individual entity, I would use a
permanent batch.
a. FALSE
21. Open and frequent communication with your client is not very important to the success of a
simulation project.
a. FALSE
22. When using a Hold module with wait for signal condition, once the signal is received only 1 waiting
entity is ever released.
a. FALSE
23. I would bet my professional reputation on the results of 1 simulation run.
a. FALSE
24. One graphical method to determine a truncation point is to plot the end of replication average
values for a performance measure for many replications, take a moving average, and usually
determine where steady state begins.
a. FALSE, all of the values are within one replication
25. A logical entity may cross over into the logic for the physical entities and exit the system with
statisitics being collected with all other entities.
a. FALSE
26. A manufacturing system that runs one 8-hour shit per day, but carries over WIP from one day to the
next, should be considered a terminating system.
a. FALSE, non-terminating
27. In an object oriented simulation language, such as Simio, resources are objects and entities are
objects.
a. TRUE, Simio is an object oriented program
Average # in queue TP
Average # in system TP
Average time in system OB
Average utilization of a resource TP
Average time in queue OB