Running Sensitivity Analyses

GoldSim provides the ability to carry out a special type of run to facilitate sensitivity analyses. For this type of run, you specify the result you are interested in, and one or more variables that you want to analyze (which must be Stochastics or Data elements).

GoldSim then runs the model multiple times, systematically sampling each variable over a specified range, while holding all of the other variables constant. This then allows GoldSim to produce sensitivity plots (i.e., a tornado chart and X-Y function charts) to assist you in graphically identifying the variables in your model to which the results is most sensitive.

Note: The sensitivity analyses discussed here produce graphical (and tabular) outputs created by changing one variable at a time, while holding all other variables constant. GoldSim also provides a second type of sensitivity analysis in which statistical sensitivity measures are computed by analyzing the results of multiple realizations of the model where all of the Stochastic variables are simultaneously sampled each realization.

Note: During the sensitivity analysis, each run is treated as a deterministic simulation. Hence, all Stochastic elements not defined as independent variables use their deterministic value.

The details of how to set up, run and view such a sensitivity analysis are presented in the topics below.

A simple example file which illustrates the use of sensitivity analysis (Sensitivity.gsm) can be found in the General Examples/Running folder in your GoldSim directory (accessed by selecting File | Open Example... from the main menu).