VISUAL INTERACTIVE MODELING WITH SIMVIEW FOR ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT

We describe the nse of the Visual Interactive Modelling (VIM) fool Sim View. SimViau emphasizes graphical model specification, animation. and hierarchical decomposition to support a Whole systems perspective in organizational modelling. The aim is to help modellers gain a sound un derstanding of the dynamic behavior of an organization as a whole, inc luding interactions with its environment, to make effective decisions regarding organization change. Application of SimView is illustrated b y a capacity study carried out for Queensland Rail that led to a savin g of several million dollars. A survey of SimView users reveals that t hey make extensive use of animation to validate models and to support participation in the modelling process. Deficiencies pointed out by th e surveyed users form an agenda for further research in the developmen t of VIM environments.