Building a Model
In this training section we will introduce to you how to begin a modeling project. To begin, you need to gather all available information that describes the system, from how it looks to how it behaves.
To build a model we take an incremental approach to the design and implementation of the model; think layers.
We will be building a model in the following 5 steps:
Create a 3D layout (this includes a CAD drawing, if available) Create a flowchart of the process steps Define the logic for each step, testing as you go
Revise Logical steps as needed Run the model View results
Post Office: Phase 1
Purpose
Gain familiarity with Abstraction in models, Flowcharting steps, basic ProcessFlow activities Description
Customers arrive at a post office every 45 seconds, on average. The statistical probability distribution which best simulates the inter-arrival pattern is an exponential distribution with a location value of 0 and a scale value of 45. The service time at the one and only service window in the post office is lognormal2(45,3.1,0.5) seconds. When the delay for service is complete, Customers leave the post office Follow Up (see video below at time 7:16)
If there is more than one Token at the Delay activity, what does that say about how many Customers can be served at once? How can we apply limits to Tokens at activities?
Video of Post Office: Phase 1:
If you'd like to download the completed Post Office: Phase 1 model, you will find it here.
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