Reduced base model construction methods for stochastic activity networks

Reduced base model construction methods for stochastic activity networks are discussed. The basic definitions concerning stochastic networks are reviewed and the types of variables used in the construction process are defined. These variables can be used to estimate both transient and steady-state system characteristics. The construction operations used and theorems stating the validity of the method are presented. A procedure for generating the reduced base model stochastic process for a given stochastic activity network and performance variable is presented. Some examples which illustrate the method and demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing the size of a state space are presented.>