A FACILITATED DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATION FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT ONLINE STUDIES IN INDUSTRY

This paper aims to propose a framework to carry out simulation projects considering Industry 4.0 and facilitated modeling. The proposed framework presents how to develop a Facilitated Discrete Event Simulation (DES) study in an industrial process. The structure aligns with some important Industry 4.0 era requirements and is based on online interventions. Action Research method was used to develop the framework. Concepts of Industry 4.0, facilitated modeling, and online meetings were adopted in its creation, such as: carrying out a faster (up to 3 months) and flexible online modeling process; creating a simple computer model that does not require a complex data collection structure nor a specialist team; generating a better understanding of the process and assisting the stakeholders in identifying improvements. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed framework is the first in literature that shows how to implement a Facilitated online DES study for industrial environments.