Facilitated modelling with discrete-event simulation: Reality or myth?

Stewart Robinson*, Claire Worthington, Nicola Burgess, Zoe J. Radnor

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Is it possible for discrete-event simulation to be used in a facilitated workshop environment? Over the last decade there have been various attempts to use simulation in this way, but we argue here that none have been successful in achieving a fully facilitated mode where the model is both developed and used in the workshop. We attempt to use a discrete-event simulation in a facilitated mode as part of a lean improvement workshop in a hospital setting. The model was successfully developed and used within the 3 day period of the workshop. Although the intervention was successful, we still had to build the model in the 'back-office', meaning that a fully facilitated mode was not achieved. The paper concludes by discussing how fully facilitated modelling with discrete-event simulation might be made possible; the answer is more about changing mind-sets than about technological challenge.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)231-240
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
Volume234
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The financial support of the Strategic Lean Implementation Methodology (SLIM) project (www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/wbs/projects/slim) is acknowledged. SLIM was funded by the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (EPSRC Grant reference EP/G049971/1). We are grateful for the advice and support of Matthew Cooke, Neil Davis and Ruth Davies.

Keywords

  • Facilitated modelling
  • OR in health services
  • Simulation

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