Developing Models and Simulations from a Life-Cycle Point of View

摘要

When designing models and simulations, adopting a life-cycle perspective at the outset is the most effective and efficient course of action for both developer and end-user. Experience in software programs for the defense and commercial sectors reveals that change is a constant. This is so especially for analytic simulations that, if proven useful, will see multiple applications over their lifetimes. The inevitable shifts in analytical focus exert pressure for the tool to adapt if it is to remain useful and relevant. Accommodating this evolution in the past has been difficult and expensive. In most cases, costs after initial operational capability are predominant in the simulation life cycle. This is particularly true for large-scale simulations, as complexity grows exponentially with size. Accommodating this change demands a software design concept that provides flexibility and modularity as well as a software implementation approach that loosely couples components and elements to make adaptation possible and practical. One approach, called the Common Analytical Simulation Architecture (CASA), is examined as a contemporary software design and development paradigm for military M&S that employs best commercial practices to effect in this regard. Simulations constructed in this manner are not only cost-effective in and of themselves, but can extend significant savings to other simulation efforts through the practical re-use of infrastructure. Consequently, it behooves all parties to such programs to recognize the inevitability of change and to employ a design and development paradigm that anticipates and accommodates the need to evolve.