The ASSESS Congress 2018 is happening today outside Atlanta where an invitation-only group of engineering simulation leaders are gathered to “launch the simulation revolution.” But I’m not among them and that’s a problem. 

ASSESS (Analysis, Simulation, and Systems Engineering Software Strategies) is a cross-industry, cross-organization initiative to overcome the roadblocks that are preventing simulation from being more widely used. How much more widely used? Maybe an order of magnitude more.

The cynics among you may scoff that of course a bunch of software vendors are trying to get people to buy more software.

But that misses the point. The fact of the matter is that use of engineering simulation tools now has a direct impact on business drivers with visibility to the C-suite: reduced time to market, cost, and risk; increased product performance and competitiveness.

Like it or not, simulation is still largely performed by expert analysts who represent the tip of the proverbial iceberg of users. Those C-suite benefits are more realizable if we can significantly expand the use and benefit of engineering simulation tools.

ASSESS’ Themes

ASSESS is organized around themes and the congress is an opportunity for the participants to explore them in-depth. Explore doesn’t mean just talk. Each theme is developing position papers, success stories, and more to drive the business forward.

Align: Alignment of Commercial, Research and Government Efforts.

Business: Business Challenges

Credibility: Engineering Simulation Confidence & Governance

DoES: Democratization of Engineering Simulation

Generative: Generative Design

Integration: Integration of Systems and Detailed Sub-System Simulations

Twin(s): Engineering Simulation Digital Twin(s)

More details about each theme along with supporting documents are available on the ASSESS Themes webpage.

What am I missing?

A few weeks ago at the International Meshing Roundtable, I gave a presentation on The Two Things That Make Meshing Difficult. During the Q&A that followed an audience member pointed out that various individuals and organizations had tried to solve the problems I cited but couldn’t gain traction over the long-term so what did I recommend.

Without having to think about it, I said that efforts like the ASSESS Initiative provide an answer. We all face similar problems but our solutions often get boxed in. Something like ASSESS brings together people who can solve these problems collectively and disperse the solutions widely for the benefit of everyone.

So I’m missing the opportunity to work with some incredibly bright people on the problems that vex our industry. Just look at the list of sponsors and list of participants. All because of a rather inconvenient and unpleasant virus.

What’s next?

1. Keep an eye on assessinitiative.com and your favorite social media for news that comes out of the congress.
2. Browse the ASSESS website for the freely available resources to get a better idea of the scope of the work being done.
3. Consider joining the initiative to get access to members-only documents and a discount on next year’s congress registration where I hope to see you.