3.10 Selecting a Simulation Program

How does the engineer know which program to use? That is a question that cannot be answered directly, but only with the engineer's knowledge of the study's scope, objective, data availability, and so on; the subject of the next chapter. However, simple is better, as long as the major concerns of the study are addressed. Key issues to remember when selecting a simulation program include the following:

Applicability. Was the program developed only for a specific locale or problem and can it be used for your problem?
Development. Can the program be used on your project directly or must it be further developed before you can use it?
Documentation. Does the program have sufficient documentation? Many excellent programs can be used by the developer but no one else because of insufficient documentation. One of the best reasons to use programs developed by various government agencies and some private vendors is the excellent documentation in the form of user manuals, reference manuals, and example applications.
Support. Does the program have an individual, an agency, or a firm that you can turn to with questions and help with problems encountered? What are the costs associated with this support and is there someone readily available for assistance when needed?
Training. Is there a formal workshop or training course available for new users? How often is the training offered and what does it cost?
Level of expertise required. Can the program be understood and used without extensive formal training? Are the model program requirements easy to understand?
Costs. How much does the program cost? Costs to purchase a hydraulic simulation program can range from nothing to several thousand dollars. Remember that the cost of any program is usually small compared to the cost of the data required and the cost of engineer training in its use.
Quality of program. Is the program dependable, easy to modify, sensitive to data changes, stable, and able to simulate the processes of flow that are important to your study objectives?