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As the world is moving forward to encounter unprecedented events every day, the concept of simulation emerges as a solution that helps predict what can be done. Simulation in the last decade has been widely used to analyze the impact of different scenarios in several areas like healthcare, military, business, etc. But as the global needs and environmental conditions evolved, it is now used as a safe space to experience and plan for a range of events, starting from climate disaster and covid-19 crisis to misinformation campaigns and fake news. 

What is simulation?

Simulation is a powerful technique used to optimize processes and make confident and evidence-based decisions. It is an animated model that mimics the operations of an existing or proposed system in the day-to-day routine. Simulation modeling solves real-world problems safely and efficiently. The methods that the technique leverages are easily verifiable, communicable, and understandable. A simulation provides a clear insight into complex systems, industries across many disciplines use the technique to streamline the prediction process. When well used, it is an excellent tool to analyze alternative actions and to anticipate their impacts, in order to rationalize the spending of resources. As a general rule, systems that involve a process flow with events can be simulated. 

By stimulating certain processes, we can experience what might happen in the future without the range of potential costs. We can also keep away the cost associated with the consequences of these decisions. Overall, multiple scenarios may be explored very quickly by varying parameters. They can be inspected and queried while in action and compared against each other. The results of the modeling and simulation, therefore, give confidence and clarity for analysts, engineers, and managers alike. Simulation is anticipated to be an important part of the near future, particularly, as the world emerges from Covid-19. 

Across the globe, many countries are using simulation to address everyday concerns. United Nations’ development unit (UNDP), public and private sectors and the Arizona State University (ASU) are testing simulation in six major cities to tackle problems that are complex and hard to predict. The simulation at Hanoi, Bangkok, Harare, and other cities also reflects the situation of Covid-19 in the cities, failure of telecom network, or violence and looting after a flash flood. 

Real-world applications of simulation

Simulation of construction and architecture works

The simulation used in construction and architecture works provides an introduction to the topic with an emphasis on early-stage design and the use of specialist modeling tools. It specializes in the need for performance and compliance. Simulation helps architects, engineers, or workers of construction sustainability to illustrate microclimate, thermal comfort, and air quality. 

Simulation of the universe

Even though the universe is mapped in many forms, simulation is the best way it can be represented with every particular detail. Astrophysicists from the University of Gottingen in Germany and the University of Auckland in New Zealand used a mix of particle movement simulation and a kind of gravity or quantum modeling to predict how structures might form in the condensation of particles after inflation occurred.

Simulation of the healthcare system

As Covid-19 broke out as a sudden cause, the healthcare industry was not prepared for the unexpected explosion. Besides the fact that people crowded the hospitals, doctors were also combating mental issues due to overwork. Simulation emerged as an excellent way to increase healthcare workers' confidence and overcome anxiety. Using healthcare students to facilitate simulation is very appropriate for a novel disease like Covid-19, which negates the usual hierarchies of clinical experience.