University of Westminster

School of Computer Science and Engineering

Group Presentation
Simulation Modelling 7BUIS021W (Academic year 2023-24)
Please read the specification carefully. If you have any questions, please contact the Module
Leader.

Module Simulation Modelling (7BUIS021W)

Module leader Malarvizhi Kaniappan Chinnathai

(m.kaniappanchinnathai@westminster.ac.uk)

Assessment weighting 30%

Qualifying mark 40%

Assessment method Presentation

Deliverable Presentation in PDF format

Simulation model (if applicable)
Assessment handout 12 February 2024

Submission method Online through Blackboard

Submission deadline 05 March 2024, 13:00

Presentation dates and time 06 March - lecture and tutorial sessions

Feedback and due date Written feedback and marks 15 working days (3
weeks) after the submission deadline.

All marks will remain provisional until formally agreed

by the Assessment Board.

Learning outcomes assessed by the Group Presentation

By the end of the module the successful student will be able to:

LO2 Appraise and select appropriate simulation approach(es) for a given decision problem;
LO4 Analyse critically the output from simulation models, and explain the business and industrial
implications

1 Subject to external examiner approval

thereof;
LO6 Present and discuss simulation modelling solutions to complex decision problems in a clear,
concise, and critical manner to an audience with mixed technical abilities.

DETAILS OF GROUP PRESENTATION

You will be allocated to presentation groups by 12th February. Each group needs to select a
scenario suitable for simulation. Some examples are provided below. You will then be asked to
prepare a presentation that answers the respective questions that are provided as part of the
scenario. For example, if a 5-member group creates a simulation model for inventory
management, then 5 different questions will be provided. Each student will be provided with a
question. During the presentation, you will need to answer the question provided to you. You will
be marked on your knowledge and understanding of the topic and in addition to this, you will be
asked a few other questions that were covered in the topic.
You will need to review the different methodologies, techniques, and tools for the project. The first
step is to select the domain area and to decide which relevant simulation approach you will be
concentrating on.
The final presentation should be uploaded to Blackboard using the Assessment Submission Link
provided. The deadline for the submission is the 5 March 2024. The link will be available in
Blackboard  Simulation Modelling  Assessment  Group Presentation.

• Each member of the group should prepare their own presentation slides. Do not copy from
your group members.
• You need to choose one of the sample scenarios provided below. Your group can also
choose a different scenario, but this needs to be discussed with your module leader.
• The presentations will be held on 6 March 2024 during the lecture and tutorial sessions.
Failure to attend the session will be result in penalty (please refer to penalty 1)
• The maximum duration of the individual presentation should be 5 minutes only. You will
only be marked for this duration. Any content exceeding this time limit will not be
considered for assessment. (please refer to penalty 2)
• At the end of the presentation, you will be asked questions to check your knowledge and
understanding of the topics covered in the module.
• Please note that the questions can be from any topic taught till Week 5 (check learning
outcomes assessed by group presentation).

Sample Scenario 1

XYZ Electronics currently produces electronic components for cutting-edge devices. The
production process involves five important steps, and the company believes that strategic
automation can enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs. The management is considering
the following automation levels:

• Manual Assembly (Baseline): The current production process relies heavily on manual
labor.

2 Subject to external examiner approval

 • Partial Automation: Introducing automated systems for specific stages of the
manufacturing process.
• Full Automation: Implementing advanced robotic systems for end-to-end production.

The current production facility comprises of 5 processes. Each process is monitored by an

operator. The schematic is shown below.

Printed Surface Pick and

Soldering Quality
Circuit Mount Place control
Board Technology
Assembly

Process Process Process Process Process

time: 25 time: 15 time: 20 time: 10 time: 5
minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes

Key Statistics:

Current Production Output: 1200 units per month

Average Defect Rate: 2% under manual assembly
Labor Costs: £3,500 per month per operator
Investment Cost for Automation of one workstation: £15,000
Projected Output Increase with Full Automation: 30%
Projected Defect Rate Reduction with Full Automation: 0.5%

Question 1: Appraise and select appropriate simulation approach(es) for optimising precision
manufacturing processes with varying automation levels.
Question 2: Define the model that needs to be simulated. Clearly indicate the inputs, outputs,
and decision variables.
Question 3: Discuss any probability distributions that were considered as part of the simulation.
Question 4: Analyse critically the output from simulation models. What are the Key Performance
Indicators?
Question 5: Present the business and industrial implications for precision manufacturing in the
electronics industry with a focus on real-world statistics using graphs and charts.

3 Subject to external examiner approval

Sample Scenario 2

Maple Medical Center provides a range of medical services, including emergency care, outpatient
procedures, and routine check-ups. The management is considering different strategies to
improve patient flow, including:

• Current Workflow (Baseline): The existing patient flow management system in place.
• Streamlined Scheduling: Implementing a more efficient appointment scheduling
system.
• Resource Optimization: Adjusting staffing levels and resource allocation to match peak
demand times.

• Initial Diagnostic
Registration
• Consultation Treatment
assessment tests
•

Process Process Process Process Process

time: 20 time: 30 time: 35 time: 30 time: 60
minutes minutes minutes minutes minutes

Key Statistics:

• Appointment No-Show Rate: 10% for routine check-ups.

• Staffing Costs: £30,000 per month per staff member.
• Average Daily Patient Visits: 700 patients per month

Question 1: Appraise and select appropriate simulation approach(es) for optimising patient flow
management with different scheduling and resource allocation strategies, using specific metrics.
Question 2: Define the model that needs to be simulated clearly indicating the inputs, outputs,
and decision variables.
Question 3: Discuss any probability distributions that were considered as part of the simulation.
Question 4: Analyse critically the output from simulation models. What are the Key Performance
Indicators?
Question 5: Present the business and industrial implications for patient flow optimisation in a
healthcare setting using graphs and charts.

4 Subject to external examiner approval

Marking criteria
Criteria Weight

Presentation 20

Content & critical analysis 40

Knowledge & understanding 40

Getting help
If you have any questions regarding selecting topics, design of presentation and creating content,
you can send your emails to m.kaniappanchinnathai@westminster.ac.uk

Penalty 1: Failure to attend the presentation.

Following the submission of the assessment, you will be asked to attend a presentation on 6th
March either during your lecture or tutorial sessions. This will be decided according to your
presentation group. It is extremely important that you attend the presentation. If you are not able
to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, you need to inform your module leader at your earliest
convenience. Failure to do so and not showing up to the session will mean that the module leader
will not be able to determine your knowledge and understanding of the topics. Therefore, mark
will be capped at 40%

Penalty 2: Presentation exceeding time limit.

You will only be marked for the first 5 minutes of your presentation. Presentations that are too
short or too lengthy will be penalised. 5 – 10% of the marks will be reduced accordingly.

5 Subject to external examiner approval

 Marking rubric
Criteria 0-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70+ Weight

Subject There is no evidence of There is evidence of There is evidence of There is clear evidence of There is exceptional 40
Knowledge knowledge & knowledge & knowledge & understanding knowledge & understanding evidence of knowledge &
understanding of the understanding of the of the subject area. All of the subject area. All understanding of the subject
subject area. Some subject area. Most essential elements of the essential elements of the area. All elements of the topic
elements of the topic essential elements of topic are covered but they topic are covered in are covered in great detail.
Understanding
are covered. the topic are covered. are too generic. sufficient detail.
and knowledge Submission is of appropriate
of the subject Submission too short or Submission is Submission is acceptable. Submission is of length. Response to the
area. Mastery of too long. Response to acceptable. Response Response to questions appropriate length. questions clearly
the the questions shows to questions shows shows sufficient knowledge Response to questions demonstrates knowledge of
communicating poor knowledge on the some generic & understanding. clearly demonstrates subject area.
ideas in clear subject area. knowledge on the knowledge of the subject
and concise subject area. area.
manner.

Content & Content covers some Content covers some Content covers most Content covers all elements Content shows exceptional 40
Critical elements of the topic. elements of the topic but elements of the topic and of the topic and is connection to the topic,
analysis There is little evidence there is sufficient there is sufficient evidence sufficiently detailed. There attention to detail and
of critical evaluation and evidence of critical of critical evaluation and is clear evidence of critical provides key messages to the
original interpretation of evaluation and original original interpretation of evaluation and original reader without need for
findings. There is some interpretation of findings. Key messages and interpretation. Key additional information.
Coverage of the
evidence of key findings. There is some findings are highlighted. messages and findings are
various Strong evidence of critical
messages and evidence of key highlighted.
elements of the analysis of relevant topics
findings. messages and
topic. and justification of the
findings.
Demonstration methods. There is clear
of original evidence of effort in analysis
interpretation and interpretation of the
and critical findings.
thinking skills.

Presentation Graphics, charts and Graphics, charts and Graphics, charts and Graphics, charts and Graphics, charts and 20
illustrations are absent illustration are illustrations are connected illustrations provide clear illustrations provide strong
or weakly connected to somewhat connected to to the topic and are connection to the topic and connection to the topic. They
the topic. They do not the topic but needs understandable without are of high quality. There is are of high quality and there
provide useful verbal explanation. verbal explanation. Most of some evidence of creativity is strong evidence of
Some of them provide in expressing the key creativity in expressing the
useful messages. All of them key messages. All of them
6 Subject to external examiner approval
 information. Design is information. Design is them provide useful provide useful provide useful information
poor. acceptable. information. Design is good. information. Design is very and enhance the
good. submission. Design is
Poor pace and Acceptable Good timekeeping and exceptional with no missing
timekeeping. Confusing presentation. presentation. Very good presentation and elements and a compelling
presentation. timekeeping. title.

Exceptional presentation
skills and good engagement.
Excellent timekeeping and
pace.

7 Subject to external examiner approval

8 Subject to external examiner approval