This brings up another belief of mine—doing simple simulations at the early stages lets you get insights into the whole system which would be disguised in any full-scale simulation. I strongly advise, when possible, to start with the simple simulation and evolve it to a more complete, more accurate, simulation later so the insights can arise early. Of course, at the end, as you freeze the final design, you must put in all the small effects which could matter in the final performance. But (1) start as simply as you can, provided you include all the main effects, (2) get the insights, and then
...more
