Run Simulation
1. Replications value sets the number of simulation replications.
2. Seed is set to clock by default so that the starting seed of random number generation will be different with each run. If
you want the simulation results to match every time (for example in a classroom setting where you want all students to
obtain the same results), select Value and enter an integer number.
3. Select Monte Carlo (Random) for full randomization. Latin Hypercube Sampling is less random than Monte Carlo but
enables more accurate simulations with fewer replications.
4. Accelerated Mode uses DiscoverSim's Excel Formula Interpreter to dramatically increase the speed of calculations for
rapid simulation. If unchecked, the calculations are performed using native Excel. The interpreter supports the majority of
all Excel numeric functions. If the DiscoverSim interpreter sees a function that it does not support, you will be prompted to
use Excel's Native mode.
5. Run Validation using Native Excel runs a validation test to compare Accelerated Mode versus Native Excel. Each
output is assessed by comparing the simulation means. If the worst case relative difference is less than or equal to 1e-
10% the test passes and the status is "Success". If the relative difference is between 1e-10% to 1e-4%, the status is
"Good", and if greater than or equal to 1e-4%, the test status is "Poor".
6. Check Independence (Ignore Correlations) to run the simulation with all inputs independent of each other (zero
correlation). This is recommended if you are running a Sensitivity Regression Analysis.
7. Check Store Simulation Data in Worksheet to store simulation input and output data in a worksheet. The number of
simulation replicates or runs must not exceed the maximum number or rows permitted in the version of Excel that you are
using and the total number of rows permitted in the version of Excel that you are using and the total number of inputs and
outputs cannot exceed the maximum number of columns permitted by Excel.
8. Click Report Options/Sensitivity Analysis to display all report options.
9. Histograms, Probability Plots, Descriptive Statistics, and Process Capability Report are checked by default for display in
the simulation report. These graphs and tables apply only to the output response data. A report will be produced for each
output.
Histograms will display a normal curve and specification limits (if applicable.)
Probability Plots are normal probability plots, but only display a small sample of the data to speed up the report
display.
Descriptive Statistics include confidence intervals for Mean, StdDev, and Median with a default 95% level. The
confidence level can be modified. Descriptive statistics also include the normality tests: Anderson-Darling,
Skewness and Kurtosis.
Process Capability Report requires at least one specification limit.
10. Check Percentile Report to view a table with the following percentiles: 0.135, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,
55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, 99.865.
Additional Percentiles can be added to the report by entering the desired values, separated by a space.
11. Check Scatter Plot/Correlation Matrix to view a Scatter Plot of outputs versus outputs, outputs versus inputs, and
outputs versus inputs. The correlation matrix includes both Pearson and Spearman Rank correlation coefficients.
Spearman Rank is recommended for non-normal data.
12. Check Sensitivity/Regression Analysis to perform a backwards stepwise regression analysis. This can be run on a
specific output or all outputs.
Hierarchy options are
Linear (Main Effects)
Linear & Quad (Main Effects and Quadratic Terms)
Linear & Cross (Main Effects and Cross-Product 2-Way Interactions
Linear, Cross & Quad (Main Effects, Cross-Product 2-Way Interactions and Quadratic Terms)
If selected, Cross-Product and Quadratic terms are calculated and included in the initial stepwise regression model along
with the Main Effects. Following Hierarchy means that the second order terms are removed from the model before the first
order terms. If a Cross-Product or Quadratic term remains in the model, the associated Main Effects will also remain in the
model, even if the Main Effect term is not significant.
Standardize options are:
None
Std: Mean = 0, StDev = 1 ((Xi-Mean)/StDev)
Range -1 to +1 (Coded Xmin = -1; Xmax - +1)
Use one of the standardize options if you have a second order model and wish to avoid additional collinearity that is
introduced due to the multiplication of different units. The disadvantage of this is that the model coefficients are then
standardized or coded so will not be as easy to interpret.
F to Enter allows you to set the value of F to enter a new variable in the model (default is 4).
F to Remove allows you to set the value of F to remove a variable from the model (default is 4).
Note: As mentioned above, it is highly recommended that you check Independence (Ignore Correlations) when performing
a Sensitivity/Regression Analysis to avoid problems with multi-collinearity.
13. Check Sensitivity Charts to view vertical bar chart(s) of:
Correlation Coefficients - Sorted Spearman Rank correlation for Output versus each Input. This sort is by
magnitude, with the chart x-axis range being -1 to +1
Regression Coefficients - Sorted R-Square values for Output versus each Input, Cross-Product and Quadratic term
that remain in the Stepwise Regression model. R-Square for each final model term is obtained by sequentially
removing and replacing each term from the model, with the decrease in model R-Square used as the term value.