Systemic Characteristics to Support Hybrid Simulation Modeling

Hybrid simulation (HS) is a modeling approach based on combining System Dynamics, Discrete Event Simulation, and/or Agent Based Simulation into a single model. There have been many benefits identified for utilization HS for planning and decision-making across many sectors. However, the lead time and skills requirements for developing HS models is usually greater than single methodology models. This position paper proposes that in order to improve and speed up the development of HS models, the decision to hybridize should be taken at the earliest possible point, i.e. when investigating the system and defining the problem. To this end, five system based characteristics have been proposed as decision points that help modelers to make such decisions. The paper concludes by suggesting a number of research avenues to follow for further improvements, whilst highlighting further challenges related to the availability of skills and tools for developing HS models.