Deck 10: Modeling and Analysis: Heuristic Search Methods and Simulation

Question 1

A "what-if" model is most typically used for the most structured problems.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In the Finnish Air Force case, the simulation had to take account of a finite number of possibilities relating to task times, material handling delays, etc.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Visual interactive modeling (VIM) systems, especially those developed for the military and the video-game industry, have "thinking" characters who can behave with a relatively high level of intelligence in their interactions with users.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Heuristic approaches are typically used to solve more complex problems.

Question 5

Determining the duration of the simulation occurs before the model is validated and tested.

Question 6

In steady-state plant control design, time-independent simulation would be appropriate.

Question 7

In the Canadian pandemic case study, the macro-level simulation modeled aggregates of a population that might experience a pandemic.

Question 8

An advantage of simulation is that it allows model builders to solve problems with minimal interaction with users or managers.

Question 9

In the RFID case study, the key variable tested by the simulation model was quicker availability of information about the location of various parts in the supply chain.

Question 10

Analytical techniques for problem solving are best for unstructured rather than structured problems.

Question 11

In the Fluor case study, redesigning the process of reviewing engineering changes had no discernible impact on the bottom line.

Question 12

Visual interactive simulation (VIS) is a simulation method that lets decision makers see what the model is doing and how it interacts with the decisions made, as they are made.

Question 13

Simulation solutions cannot easily be transferred from one problem domain to another.

Question 14

Discrete events and agent-based models are usually used for middle or low levels of abstraction.

Question 15

Simulation does not usually allow decision makers to see how a solution to a complex problem evolves over (compressed) time, nor can decision makers interact with the simulation.

Question 16

The use of simulation models is desirable because they can usually be solved in one pass, without incurring the time and cost of iterations.

Question 17

In the Chilean government case study, the government used complete enumeration to find the optimal solution for deciding meal providers to schools.

Question 18

In the choice phase of problem solving, normative models involve selecting an optimal or best outcome.

Question 19

Time compression in a simulation allows managers to test certain strategies with less risk.

Question 20

Genetic algorithms are heuristic methods that do not guarantee an optimal solution to a problem.

Question 21

The EHR (electronic health record) system dynamics modeling example showed that

A) e-notes negatively affect radiology performance.
B) increased electronic note-taking negatively affects compliance.
C) adverse drug events help to decrease patient time.
D) increased staff training results in increased electronic prescriptions.

Question 22

In modeling, an optimal solution is understood to be

A) a solution found in the least possible time and using the least possible computing resources.
B) a solution that can only be determined by an exhaustive enumeration and testing of alternatives.
C) a solution that is the best based on criteria defined in the design phase.
D) a solution that requires an algorithm for determination.

Question 23

How does blind search differ from optimization?

A) Blind search cannot result in optimal solutions whereas optimization methods do.
B) Blind search usually does not conclude in one step like some optimization methods.
C) Blind search is usually a more efficient problem solving approach than optimization.
D) Blind search represents a guided approach while optimization is unguided.

Question 24

All of the following are suitable problems for genetic algorithms EXCEPT

A) dynamic process control.
B) simulation of biological models.
C) pattern recognition with complex patterns.
D) simple optimization with few variables.

Question 25

Genetic algorithms belong to the family of methods in the

A) optimization area.
B) complete enumeration family of methods.
C) artificial intelligence area.
D) non-computer based (human) solutions area.

Question 26

In agent-based modeling, agents are

A) autonomous rule-based decision making units.
B) the human workers or agents who use the system.
C) the hardware platform used to conduct the simulation.
D) communication links between simulations.

Question 27

What BEST describes a simulation model with a limited number of variables, each with a finite number of values?

A) Monte Carlo simulation
B) discrete event simulation
C) continuous distribution simulation
D) system dynamics simulation

Question 28

What BEST describes a simulation model in which it is not important to know exactly when a modeled event occurred?

A) system dynamics simulation
B) discrete event simulation
C) continuous distribution simulation
D) time-independent simulation

Question 29

Which of the following is an advantage of simulation?

A) It always results in optimal solutions.
B) It can incorporate significant real-life complexity.
C) It solves problems in one pass with no iterations.
D) Simulation software requires special skills.

Question 30

In which stage of the simulation methodology do you determine the system's boundaries and environment?

A) defining the problem
B) designing the experiment
C) testing and validating the model
D) constructing the simulation model

Question 31

When is a complete enumeration of solutions used?

A) when there are an infinite number of solutions to be searched
B) when the modeler requires a guided approach to problem solving
C) when a solution that is "good enough" is fine and good heuristics are available
D) when there is enough time and computational power available

Question 32

What can system dynamics modeling be used for?

A) micro-level simulation models that examine individual values
B) qualitative methods for analyzing a system
C) simulation models that test each subsystem in isolation
D) studying system behavior at an instant in time

Question 33

In which stage of the simulation methodology do you determine the variables and gather data?

A) defining the problem
B) designing the experiment
C) testing and validating the model
D) constructing the simulation model

Question 34

All of the following are true about heuristics EXCEPT

A) heuristics are rules of good judgment.
B) heuristics are used when the modeler requires a guided approach to problem solving.
C) heuristics are used when a solution that is "good enough" is sought.
D) heuristics are used when there is abundant time and computational power.

Question 35

In which stage of the simulation methodology do you determine how long to run the simulation?

A) defining the problem
B) designing the experiment
C) testing and validating the model
D) constructing the simulation model

Question 36

The advantages of visual interactive simulation include all of the following EXCEPT

A) the ability to see how a simulation works.
B) improved presentation of simulation results.
C) reduced need for decision maker involvement.
D) improvements in training using the simulation.

Question 37

Which approach is most suited to complex problems with significant uncertainty, a need for experimentation, and time compression?

A) simulation
B) genetic algorithms
C) optimization
D) human intuition

Question 38

What is the final stage of an agent-based modeling (ABM) methodology?

A) identifying the agents and determining their behavior
B) determining the suitability of ABM
C) validating agent behavior against reality
D) determining agent-related data

Question 39

Which approach is most suited to structured problems with little uncertainty?

A) simulation
B) genetic algorithms
C) optimization
D) human intuition

Question 40

Agent-based modeling is best for all the following types of problem features EXCEPT

A) many interrelated factors.
B) low uncertainty.
C) irregular data.
D) complex interactions.

Question 41

An agent-based modeling approach focuses on modeling a(n) "________" property rather than "optimizing" nature.

Question 42

In a system dynamics model, ________ diagrams show the relationships between variables in a system.

Question 43

If simulation results do not match the intuition or judgment of the decision maker, a ________ gap in the results can occur.

Question 44

________ search techniques are arbitrary search approaches that are not guided.

Question 45

The most common simulation method for business decision problems is ________ simulation.

Question 46

Candidate solutions (or chromosomes in genetic algorithms) combine to produce offspring in each algorithmic iteration. Along with the offspring, some of the best solutions are also migrated to the next generation in order to preserve the best solution achieved up until the current iteration. This concept is called ________.

Question 47

________ simulation refers to building a model of a system where the interaction between different entities is studied.

Question 48

________ are a part of global search techniques used to find approximate solutions to optimization-type problems that are too complex to be solved with traditional optimization methods.

Question 49

In a visual interactive simulation (VIS), ________ models display a visual image of the result of one decision alternative at a time.

Question 50

One of the advantages of simulation is that a great amount of ________ can be attained, quickly giving a manager some feel as to the long-term (1- to 10-year) effects of many policies.

Question 51

Simulation is not strictly a type of model; models generally represent reality, whereas simulation typically ________ it.

Question 52

In MSS, ________ is a technique for conducting experiments (e.g., what-if analyses) with a computer on a model of a management system.

Question 53

In the Hepatitis B case study, Markov models were used to determine the cost-________ of various governmental interventions for Hepatitis B.

Question 54

In ________ simulation, one or more of the independent variables follows certain probability distributions, which can be either discrete distributions or continuous distributions.

Question 55

Simulation is the appearance of reality. Simulation is a ________ rather than a normative method.

Question 56

________ models are macro-level simulation models in which aggregate values and trends are considered.

Question 57

A genetic algorithm is an iterative procedure that represents its candidate solutions as strings of genes called ________ and measures their viability with a fitness function.

Question 58

In a visual interactive simulation (VIS), ________ models display systems that evolve over time, and the evolution is represented by animation.

Question 59

The performance of the agent-based system should be ________ against reality.

Question 60

Simulation involves setting up a ________ of a real system and conducting repetitive experiments on it.

Question 61

Under what circumstances is simulation normally used?

Question 62

Analytical techniques are used in the choice phase of problem solving. How can we define analytical techniques?

Question 63

List five major types of simulation.

Question 64

Describe three of the most important limitations of genetic algorithms according to Grupe and Jooste.

Question 65

List four key terms related to genetic algorithms.

Question 66

Give a simple definition of simulation in MSS.

Question 67

Genetic algorithms provide a set of efficient, domain-independent search heuristics for a broad spectrum of applications. List four possible applications for genetic algorithms.

Question 68

List four well-known search methods used in the choice phase of problem solving.

Question 69

Heuristic programming is the process of using heuristics in problem solving. This is done via heuristic search methods. Give a brief definition of the term heuristics.

Question 70

Give a brief definition of genetic algorithms.