Leveraging Virtual Experimentation and Simulation to Improve R&D Performance: A preliminary maturity matrix for virtual experimentation and simulation technologies can help companies understand where and how to develop simulation capabilities.

OVERVIEW: Virtual experimentation and simulation—the use of mathematical models and computer-based simulations to replicate the behavior and performance of physical systems and traditional experiments—has been steadily growing over the past two decades, driven by continual developments in technology and techniques. Virtual experimentation and simulation can enable companies to innovate more effectively and efficiently and build competitive advantage. However, the development and implementation of virtual capabilities is not simple and not without pitfalls; some companies have struggled to fully leverage these technologies. What is currently missing from the knowledge landscape is a common measure of where an organization stands with regard to its virtual capabilities and of what parameters drive effective use of virtual experimentation and simulation. To fill this gap, we offer a preliminary maturity matrix, a framework that can be used to judge an organization’s maturity and effectiveness in developing and deploying virtual experimentation and simulation capabilities.