Application of Factorial Designs for Reducing Factors in Optimization Via Discrete-Event Simulation

Optimization via simulation came true; most discrete-event simulation packages have some kind of optimization routines but the optimum search can become very time-consuming as the factor number increases. This paper´s objectives show how factorial designs help the optimization via simulation to reach the optimum solution by reducing the number of factors. A comparative study between an optimization without planning and an optimization planned based on factorial designs is carried out. Results are presented where the reduction of the number of runs needed to find the optimum is showed. This work concludes with brief considerations on the factorial designs and optimization via simulation integration