Value stream simulation explained

What-If Simulation

The simulation engine in MapVS lets you model process changes before implementing them in the real world. By adjusting stage parameters, you can predict the impact on lead time, throughput, and efficiency.

How simulation works

MapVS uses a discrete-event simulation model that processes units through your value stream stages. Each stage has configurable parameters:

• Cycle time distribution — Fixed, normal, or triangular distribution to model real-world variation.
• Batch sizes — How many units are processed at once.
• Failure rates — Probability of defects or rework at each stage.
• Resource constraints — Number of operators and equipment availability.

Running a simulation

1. Open any map and click the Simulate tab.
2. Choose a Scenario — either your current state or a future state you want to test.
3. Adjust any parameters you want to change (e.g., reduce cycle time at a bottleneck by 20%).
4. Click Run Simulation and wait for results.

Understanding results

The simulation output shows:

• Throughput — Units processed per time period.
• Lead time distribution — A histogram showing the range of lead times.
• Utilisation — How busy each stage is, helping identify bottlenecks.
• WIP (Work in Progress) — Inventory buildup between stages.

Comparing scenarios

Create multiple scenarios to compare different improvement strategies side by side. The comparison view shows the delta between scenarios for each key metric.