Martinez, J C (2010) Methodology for conducting discrete-event simulation studies in construction engineering and management. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 136(1), pp. 3-16. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper suggests the methodology to follow when conducting discrete-event simulation (DES) studies in construction engineering and management research. Emphasis is made on the steps that, due to the uniqueness of the construction environment, are particularly important yet are not discussed extensively in the general DES literature. Guidelines are provided to determine what aspects of a DES study demand a rigorous application of the theory depending on the purpose of the study. The paper concludes with the importance of properly understanding the probabilistic concepts upon which DES relies and on coupling this understanding with engineering judgment as a key for successful use of DES in construction research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | analytical techniques; design of operations; discrete-event simulation; quantitative analysis |
| Index terms: | management research, quantitative analysis, methodology, coupling, judgment, construction engineering |
| Subjects: | engineering methods, research methods, systems engineering, dispute resolution, research design and methodology, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here