Integrating soft systems methodology to aid simulation conceptual modeling

Discrete‐event simulation is considered an increasingly common support tool for decision making, especially in manufacturing. Most simulation projects are divided into three distinct phases: conception, implementation, and analysis. Some authors believe the conception phase is the most important, as the simulation study objectives are defined and the project's foundation is laid at this point. Many researchers do not spend the necessary amount of time on this important initial phase. Thus, this article presents an integration method that makes use of soft systems methodology (SSM), a complex problem‐solving approach, during the conceptual phase of simulation studies. SSM was used throughout the conceptual modeling phase for a real manufacturing simulation case study. Through the analysis of this study, it can be concluded that the use of SSM to develop the conceptual model enabled identification of the study objectives, thus avoiding errors and reworks. The study's results are presented and the method's application is justified by presenting a valid model capable of analyzing the system's key input variables.