Simulation in public sector management: A case study

We detail the development and application of a simulation model to aid decision making concerning the procedures followed in the Office of Film and Literature Classification, by forecasting the effects of possible management initiatives. The major variables are – the number of censors, the volume of publications to be classified (with special emphasis on computer technology publications) and the procedures, in particular, the number of censors with decision-making powers. A model of the system was developed using Extend; a simulation software package designed to aid decision support. This model was used to investigate the utilization of ‘decision-makers’, and to identify and locate the bottlenecks, in the system under a number of different scenarios suggested by the client. There is also the flexibility to include additional duties that might be imposed on the Office.