This paper compares the results of broad‐range literature reviews over the period 1997–2006 on the application of simulation in three sectors: commerce, defence, and health‐care. The main purpose of these reviews is to see whether there are lessons to learn from the first two sectors to be applied in the health‐care sector. Results of our reviews show that, simulation has been commonly used in the three sectors; however, there is clear evidence of lack of consistency in the level of implementation. More specifically, healthcare lags behind the other two sectors, particularly in terms of stakeholder engagement and, consequently, in terms of implementation of simulation outcomes. This paper provides key insights into some challenges in applying simulation methods in healthcare, whilst presenting an up‐to‐date ‘big picture’ of simulation in three main sectors from an academic point of view.
