On 31 October 2017, the joint research group of the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology (SimCon) held a 2-hour workshop to share new insight into the impacts and benefits of using simulation in the built environment engineering. The learning objectives were as follows: - The use of simulation to lift productivity and competitiveness within the construction industry - The use of simulation for project planning, control and diagnosis - The cutting-edge research being developed by SimCon research group These are slides from the third presentation of the workshop. It is focused on describing the importance of conceptual modelling in improving the quality of simulation studies in construction.

1. The University of Auckland 2017
The Benefits of Conceptual Modelling for
Construction Simulation
M. Adel Abdelmegid, BSc, MSc, PMP
PhD Candidate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2. The University of Auckland 2017
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
• Complex & Dynamic
• Interrelated activities
• Different stakeholders with variant
backgrounds and objectives
• High level of risk and uncertainty
• Many constraints: tight schedule –
limited budget –regulations
• Different types of resources
Source: City Rail Link official Facebook page (07/09/2017)

3. The University of Auckland 2017
COMPUTER SIMULATION: A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL
• Model complex activities
• Include different resources
• Account for risks
• Represent the surrounding
environment such as weather,
traffic, and ground condition.
AbouRizk, S. (2010). Role of Simulation in Construction Engineering and Management. Journal of
Construction Engineering and Management, 136(10), 1140-1153.

4. The University of Auckland 2017
LIMITED USE OF SIMULATION IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
CHARACTERISTICS
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION
SIMULATION TOOLS
CONSTRUCTION INDSUTRY
PRACTITIONERS
CONSTRUCTION SIMULATION
RESEARCH
Project
Uniqueness
Dynamic &
Risky
Limited Budget
Short Decision-
making Time
Amount and
Nature of Data
Limitations of
Current Tools
Lack of
Simulation Skills
Industry Culture
and Lack of Trust
Lack of Collaboration
with Industry

5. The University of Auckland 2017
CONSTRUCTION SIMULATION RESEARCH CHALLENGES
Reducing skills, efforts, and time
required to build simulation models
Improving the quality of construction
simulation models
Developing a solid relationship
between research and industry
Integrating simulation modeling into
engineering curricula

6. The University of Auckland 2017
WHAT IS MISSING?
• Successful simulation applications
Extensive effort (up to 40%) in system abstraction and
model conceptualisation
https://healthcare.flexsim.com/case-
studies/better-decisions-emergency-department/
https://www.flexsim.com/flexsim/#screenshots Balci, O., & Ormsby, W. F. (2007). Conceptual modelling for
designing large-scale simulations. Journal of Simulation,
1(3), 175-186.
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Military

7. The University of Auckland 2017
CONCEPTUAL MODELLING, COULD IT BE THE SOLUTION?
Benefits for the simulation model General benefits for the project under-study
1. Captures and documents sufficient data
2. Enables model reuse
3. Enables modeling complex and dynamic systems
4. Facilitates validation of simulation models
5. Guides the simulation study systematically
6. Increases model credibility
7. Increases the success rate of the model
1. Encourages the engagement of stakeholders
2. Facilitates communication between stakeholders
3. Stimulates creativity

8. The University of Auckland 2017
Reducing skills, efforts, and time
required to build simulation models
Improving the quality of construction
simulation models
Developing a solid relationship
between research and industry
Integrating simulation modeling into
engineering curricula
• Captures and documents sufficient data
• Enables model reuse
• Increases model credibility
• Encourages the engagement of stakeholders
• Facilitates communication between stakeholders
• Enables modeling complex and dynamic systems
• Facilitates validation of simulation models
• Increases the success rate of the model
• Guides the simulation study systematically
• Stimulates creativity
BENEFITS CHALLENGES

9. The University of Auckland 2017
HOW TO BUILD A CONCEPTUAL MODEL?
1. Stakeholder list
2. Simulation study
proposal
Simulation study
initiation
1. Detailed problem
description
2. Assumption list
3. A Sketch of the
system
4. Data requirements
Problem
Formulation
1. Modeling objectives
2. General objectives
Define Model
Objectives
Input & Output list
Determine the
Model Inputs &
Outputs
1. Model structure
2. Entities individual
behaviour
3. Model control
Design the
Conceptual Model

10. The University of Auckland 2017
HOW TO FIT THE CONCEPTUAL MODEL WITHIN REGULAR
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT APPROACHES
PMBOK® Guide – Fifth Edition
• Start as early as possible
• Integrated Planning/Conceptual
Modelling framework

11. The University of Auckland 2017
INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION PLANNING / CONCEPTUAL
MODELLING FRAMEWORK
PMBOK® Guide – Fifth Edition
Conceptual Model Documents
Activity Table Modeling objectives
Assumption list Overall structural view
of the system
Data requirements Problem description
Decision register Rule sets diagrams
Entity individual
behavior
Simplification list
Entity list Simulation study
proposal
General objectives Sketch of the system
Individual control units
definition
Stakeholder list
Input & Output list Tree structure of the
control units

12. The University of Auckland 2017
SUMMARY
• Computer simulation has proved very effective
as a decision-support tool in many complex
systems.
• A plethora of research has been conducted in
construction simulation, however, simulation
technology suffers from low adaptation by
construction practitioners.
• A holistic simulation methodology is under
development by the joint research team from
UoA and AUT (SimCon).
• The first step in that methodology is to develop
an integrated framework that utilise the time
and effort of construction planning to produce a
valid simulation conceptual model.
Conceptual Model