@RISK Simulation and Optimization Add-In for Excel

 

@RISK is a complete risk analysis & optimization solution for Excel that allows for the best decision making under uncertainty.

@RISK analyzes thousands of different possible outcomes, showing you the likelihood of each occurring. Uncertain factors are defined using over 35 probability distribution functions, which accurate describe the possible range of values your inputs could take. @RISK 8.x is fully compatible with 64-bit Excel 2010. 64-bit technology enables Excel and @RISK to access much more computer memory than ever before. This allows for vastly larger models and greater computational power. In addition, @RISK has been fully translated into Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Japanese and .

New in @RISK 8.x

New @RISK version 8.x includes a wide range of improvements, including powerful new integration with Microsoft Project that allows you to perform risk analysis and Monte Carlo simulation on your Microsoft Project schedules – all from the @RISK for Excel platform! Other new features include easier-to-understand tornado charts, better graphing options, improved distribution fitting, new distribution functions, and much more. The Industrial edition now adds the OptQuest solving engine to RISKOptimizer, and features simulation of time-series forecasts.

 

New and Improved Tornado Graphs

Tornado graphs have long been used to identify the critical variables affecting a risk analysis. Version 7.5 adds a new graph type called Contribution to Variance which shows the amount of the variance in the output attributable to each input variable. In addition, you can now overlay tornado graphs from multiple simulations to compare the effects of model changes. Lastly, we’ve added shading options on the graph bars to indicate whether inputs are high or low when the output increases or decreases.

Faster Optimization with RISKOptimizer

RISKOptimizer, available in @RISK Industrial, is a powerful tool that allows you to optimize linear and nonlinear problems in uncertain situations. It combines optimization with Monte Carlo simulation, and is very computationally intensive. New version 7.5 now runs at least four times faster than previous versions!

Over 20 New @RISK Functions

Sixteen new distribution functions have been added to @RISK, along with six new statistical functions. The new functions are important for accurate, insightful modeling of uncertainty in finance, insurance, reliability, and other applications.

Run Optimizations During Simulation Without Coding

If you need to run Excel Solver during an @RISK simulation, you can now do so without writing any VBA code, saving you time. Version 8 makes this easy to set up via dialog box, and it works for Excel Goals Seek and Palisade's Evolver as well.

Graphing and Reporting Improvements

All @RISK graphs and reports now feature an updated, more streamlined interface, as well as support for Excel’s built-in themes and colors. Now you can apply your company’s standard Excel themes to your @RISK reports! In addition, graphical displays have been improved for ultra-high resolution monitors.

CPU Control

You can now control the number of CPUs @RISK uses to run simulations. We’ve also added easy access to @RISK statistics functions in the Model and Summary Results windows, saving you time in modeling.

Other cool features -

Integration with Microsoft Project

The new version of @RISK for Excel integrates with Microsoft Project, allowing you to perform all your risk modeling from the more flexible Excel environment. @RISK now imports your Project schedules into Excel so that you can use all of Excel’s formulas, and @RISK’s features, on your Project models. Excel becomes a front-end for your Microsoft Project schedule, linking directly to the underlying .MPP(X) file. Changes made in either Project or Excel are reflected in the other. When it’s time to run your Monte Carlo simulation, Microsoft Project’s scheduling engine is used for the calculations, ensuring accuracy.

 

Time Series Simulation

@RISK now offers a new set of functions for simulating time series processes, or values that change over time. Any future projection of time series values has inherent uncertainty, and @RISK now lets you account for that uncertainty by looking at the whole range of possible time series projections in your model. This is particularly useful in financial modeling and portfolio simulation.

@RISK for Six Sigma

 

A key application of @RISK is Six Sigma and quality analysis. Industries ranging from engine manufacturing to precious metals to airlines and consumer goods are using @RISK every day to improve their processes, enhance the quality of their products and services, and save money.

Whether it’s in DMAIC, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Lean projects, Design of Experiments (DOE), or other areas, uncertainty and variability lie at the core of any Six Sigma analysis. @RISK uses Monte Carlo simulation to identify, measure, and root out the causes of variability in your production and service processes and designs.

Six Sigma Capability Metrics in @RISK

@RISK allows you to define Upper and Lower Specification Limits and Target values for each output, and comes complete with a wide range of Six Sigma statistics and capability metrics on those outputs, like Cpk, Cp, Cpm, and much more. These metrics can be placed directly in your spreadsheet model, or appear in the @RISK Results Summary window. Output graphs show markers for LSL, USL, and Target values. The Industrial edition of @RISK adds RISKOptimizer to your Six Sigma analyses for optimization of project selection, resource allocation, and more.