Experience in the broadening of a single-purpose simulation model

Simulation models are often developed for a single purpose. However, once a model is accepted by management and other stake-holders, it is quite common and desirable to wish to broaden the application of the model to several areas. This is not always a straight-forward evolution because a model designed to evaluate one performance measure may not be well-suited for others. This paper summarizes the experience of the Y-12 National Security Complex¿s simulation modeling group in broadening its equipment-scoping simulation model into a model that could examine plant mass balance, model internal products including complex feedback loops, include chemical sampling and analysis, evaluate in-process storage, and perform basic scheduling analyses. Results of the effort were successful and the paper concludes that single-purpose-model broadening can be achieved with the correct mix of planning and execution.