At what stage do you assess the output data of a simulation?

The assessment of output data occurs during the analysis and interpretation stage because this phase is specifically focused on examining and deriving insights from the results generated by the simulation. After a simulation is completed, the output data provides valuable information that needs to be analyzed to understand the implications of the simulation's results. This involves looking at key metrics, trends, and patterns that can inform decision-making or validate the simulation model.

In this stage, you will typically evaluate how well the simulation's outcomes align with expected results, interpret the significance of these results, and identify any potential actions or recommendations based on the findings. The analysis and interpretation stage is critical for ensuring that the simulation outputs are understood in context, making it the appropriate time to assess the data collected.

Other stages, such as the design phase, focus more on creating the simulation model and defining its parameters before running it. Documentation occurs after the analysis and serves to record findings and methodologies, rather than assessing the data itself. Parameter setup is about establishing the variables and conditions under which the simulation will run, not about evaluating the output.