Understanding and Using Assumption Charts

Assumption charts are created automatically when you run a simulation. They cannot be deleted, only opened or closed.

During or after a simulation runs, you can view assumption charts to show trial values (that is, random numbers) for the current simulation layered over the assumption’s ideal probability distribution (Figure 46, Assumption Chart).

Figure 46. Assumption Chart

This figure displays an Assumption chart, showing trial values for the current simulation.

Assumption charts are useful for checking and comparing Run Preferences settings. For example, you can look at charts for the same assumption before and after increasing the number of trials and switching between Monte Carlo and Latin Hypercube sampling. If certain settings yield a noticeably better match between the random numbers and the ideal distribution, you might want to use those settings even if the simulation runs longer.

  To open an assumption chart:

  1. Run a simulation.

  2. Choose Analyze, then Assumption Charts.

    (If you are using Crystal Ball in Microsoft Excel 2007 or later, choose Analyze, then View Charts, then Assumption Charts.)

  3. When the dialog opens, choose the assumptions to view and click OK.

For customization instructions, see Customizing Assumption Charts.