Desktop Client: Can iGrafx perform Monte Carlo simulation?

This article applies to iGrafx Process and iGrafx Process for Six Sigma Client tools

Yes; iGrafx can perform Monte Carlo simulation.

For example, a "Y=F(x)" diagram can do Monte Carlo style simulation calculations using a formula. If you simplify your iGrafx simulation model by eliminating resources, schedules, and all the other real-life constraints, you can do calculations with the model. You then have tool capable of generating random numbers very well, and that's what a Y=F(x) diagram can do. The iGrafx Process for Six Sigma (PfSS) training course covers an example of this; using a diagram to calculate the Force that a spring (e.g. a coiled piece of metal) exerts, based on its Constant and Deflection. The formula used is F = K * X, where K and X vary along a normal curve.

However, in addition to Monte Carlo type simulation, iGrafx is capable of performing Discrete Event Simulation (DES), and can thus provide simulation beyond the simple Monte Carlo types of simulation where a formula is solved repeatedly for many trials or 'simulations'. A 'simulation' in Monte Carlo is equivalent to a single iGrafx DES transaction (a single calculation, solving of an equation with randomly picked numbers, or a single result). So in a single iGrafx simulation run, you can easily run thousands (up to Billions) of transactions through the process, and thus run many Monte Carlo 'simulations' in a single iGrafx simulation run.

DES can find things that Monte Carlo tools cannot; such as bottlenecks, actual resource utilization, etc. Our Knowledge Base has an article on this: "How is iGrafx simulation different than Excel-based analysis?" In summary, the advantage of DES is that you can understand actual constraints (bottlenecks) at given Full-Time Equivalent (FTE, or resource) levels, which is impossible to predict w/Excel. You can also understand how well utilized the resources are, costs involved in performing the process (idle costs, cost per piece), etc.

In addition, iGrafx Process for Six Sigma can run a Design Of Experiments DOE, which runs multiple randomized simulations (each simulation being similar to many Monte Carlo 'simulations' or trials), and using Minitab or JMP can find the 'optimal' point within the responses of a designed experiment.