What is modeling and simulation (M&S)? | Definition from TechTarget (2024)

Modeling and simulation (M&S) is the use ofa physical or logical representationof agiven system to generate data and help determine decisionsor makepredictionsabout the system. M&S is widely used in the social and physical sciences, engineering, manufacturing and product development, among many other areas.

Applications of modeling and simulation include:

• Creating models of weather systems,simulating behavior based on available datato generate predictive information for forecasts.A hurricane forecast model, for example, is designed to predict a given storm's track and intensity, as well as related events such as storm surges.
• Simulating the effect ofsevere weather events likehurricanes and storm surgesoninfrastructure to guide the design of more resilient systems.
• Creating a program to model a social situationandobservingthe behavior of individuals in the simulation when the program runs.Social simulationscan beused to yield predictive data abouthow things happen in real-world environments,such as how social norms develop.
• Simulating how a physical change to a system will affect its performance. For example, NASAhasexploreddrone aerodynamics with logical models simulating airpressuresand currents around the rotors. That information couldpotentiallybe used to develop designs that reduceturbulence, which would make the vehicles quieter in operation.

This was last updated in September 2017

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