Data-driven simulation of the supply chain – insights from the aerospace sector

With the increasing complexity of supply chains in aerospace manufacturing, simulation has become a powerful tool to assess performance. Conventional simulation models are constructed by experts, limiting their usefulness for non-experts. Here, the concept of data-driven simulation is used, where the simulation model is constructed automatically using input data from company IT systems. The paper describes the concept and operation of a supply-chain model builder that has been developed. An example model is provided from the civil aerospace sector. The study shows that data-driven simulation can be useful to support the design and improvement of supply chains. The nature of the conceptual model, model verification and validation in data-driven simulations are discussed. Data-driven simulation is not a replacement for general-purpose simulation tools, but an adjunct valuable in certain circumstances. It can allow a variety of scenarios to be explored relatively quickly without a high level of simulation expertise.