Simulation Driven Design: Just How Far Have We Come?

by Chad Jackson, President and Principal Analyst of Lifecycle Insights

It's time for a litmus test, isn't it? We've been talking about this issue for well over a decade now.

Simulation has traditionally been used for verification and validation right before testing begins. Its a great way to avoid the effort of building prototypes that, according to simulation predictions, will fail. There's value there. However, those results are often gained too late to influence the design.

Instead, the concept is to use simulation as the basis for decisions in the design cycle. Using simulation results, you can size parts and components, select off-the-shelf equipment and choose between alternative designs. In general, these types of simulations tend to be directional as opposed to ultimately accurate.

Yes. We all know the theory by memory. But I'm the curious type. How successfully has this change be adopted?

The 2013 Simulation Driven Design Study

Therein lies the purpose behind this latest Lifecycle Insight's study. It very specifically targets simulations used in the concept design phase, prior to the funding of a project, and the detailed design phase, prior to verification and validation. It looks at how simulations are setup, solved, reviewed as well as managed. It also looks at the practices that are most widely adopted in support of these efforts.

The goal is to provide a relatively complete picture of how organizations are using simulations to make design decisions today.

The Engineering Manager's Survival Guide

Those that complete the survey will get the Engineering Manager's Survival Guide, a 40+ page eBook published by Lifecycle Insights. It contains three main chapters: the trends shaping modern engineering, the initiative that engineering managers are pursuing in response and the technologies used to support those efforts.

Now, let me be clear: this eBook is not purely focused on simulation. And that is actually valuable. Today's engineering managers face an array of business issues that can be addressed by a multitude of initiatives. If you want to champion simulation, it's important to understand the landscape of issues important to engineering as a whole, not just simulation oriented ones.

Take the Survey

It has 31 questions in total, which via routing logic is reduced depending on your answers. In all, the survey can be completed in roughly 20 minutes. Your participation is valuable. We'd greatly appreciate your involvement.

Take the Simulation Driven Design Survey.

Take care. Talk soon. And thanks for participating.

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