Specifying Operating Resource Requirements

A Resource is something that has a limited supply (e.g., spare parts, fuel, skilled personnel, money) and is required in order for elements of the modeled system to carry out certain actions.

For Function and Action elements, you can specify that certain Resources must be available in order for the component to operate.  In particular, in order for the component to operate, it may need to utilize Resources at a specified rate (e.g., 10 gal/hr of Fuel).  If the Resources can not be provided at the specified rate, the component will stop operating until they are available. 

To define an operating Resource Requirement for a Function or an Action, press the Resources button at the bottom of the Operating Requirements section of the dialog (labeled “Define operating Resource Requirements”).  The following dialog will be displayed:

   Note: In order for this dialog to appear, you must have previously defined at least one Resource in the model.

You can add a Resource Requirement by pressing the Add button.

An operating Resource Requirement interacts with the specified Resource Stores when the element is operating, and can only have two types of interactions (specified in the Usage column):

   Spend At Rate: A specified continuous spend rate of the Resource is required in order for the element to continue to operate. If the requested Resource is not available in sufficient quantity to maintain the requested spend rate, the element stops operating. If it becomes available again, the element starts operating again (assuming all other requirements are met). 

   Deposit At Rate: While the element is operating, the specified deposit rate is added to the Store.

Related Topics…

Learn more about: