| abstract
| - Modeling and simulation (M&S) is getting information about how something will behave without actually testing it in real life. For instance, if we wanted to design a racecar, but weren't sure what type of spoiler would improve traction the most, we would be able to use a computer simulation of the car to estimate the effect of different spoiler shapes on the coefficient of friction in a turn. We're getting useful insights about different decisions we could make for the car without actually building the car. More generally, M&S is using models, including emulators, prototypes, simulators, and stimulators, either statically or over time, to develop data as a basis for making managerial or technical decisions. The terms "modeling" and "simulation" are often used interchangeably. The use of modeling and simulation (M&S) within engineering is well recognized. Simulation technology belongs to the tool set of engineers of all application domains and has been included in the body of knowledge of engineering management. M&S has already helped to reduce costs, increase the quality of products and systems, and document and archive lessons learned. M&S is a discipline on its own. Its many application domains often lead to the assumption that M&S is pure application. This is not the case and needs to be recognized by engineering management experts who want to use M&S. To ensure that the results of simulation are applicable to the real world, the engineering manager must understand the assumptions, conceptualizations, and implementation constraints of this emerging field.
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