Robert Siegfried presents a framework for efficient agent-based modeling and simulation of complex systems. He compares different approaches for describing structure and dynamics of agent-based models in detail. Based on this evaluation the author introduces the "General Reference Model for Agent-based Modeling and Simulation" (GRAMS). Furthermore he presents parallel and distributed simulation approaches for execution of agent-based models -from small scale to very large scale. The author shows how agent-based models may be executed by different simulation engines that utilize underlying hardware resources in an optimized fashion.

Robert Siegfried is Senior Consultant for IT/M&S projects. He earned his doctorate in modeling and simulation at the Universität der Bundeswehr München. His research areas are agent-based modeling and simulation, distributed simulation, and quality management. He has worked on topics like model documentation and management, distributed simulation test beds, and process models. He is active member of the NATO Modeling and Simulation Group and the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization.