Explaining puzzling dynamics: A comparison of system dynamics and discrete-event simulation

Morecroft, J; Robinson, S

doi:10.1002/9781118762745.ch09

Explaining puzzling dynamics: A comparison of system dynamics and discrete-event simulation

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Stewart Robinson ORCiD

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Abstract

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.Everyday situations present many examples of puzzling dynamics - performance over time that defies intuition and common sense. This chapter addresses the question of which method to use and why, by exploring how system dynamics (SD) and discrete-event simulation (DES) models help us make sense of puzzling dynamics. It begins with a brief review of existing comparisons of SD and DES. Collectively they highlight several important technical and conceptual differences between the approaches. Following this, the focus of research is explained and the case study of erratic fisheries, around which the investigation revolves in the chapter, is described. A series of SD and DES models are then developed and compared, from which differences in both the representation and interpretation of the fisheries problem are identified. Limitations of the study are discussed before returning to the question of which approach to use and when.