ema is designed to model the most efficient workflow possible. The process of simulation is divided into 4 main steps: designing an environment; assigning tasks and behavior; simulating the work; and evaluating the results. An environment can be designed to any level of detail, with more detail resulting in more accurate simulations of real workflows. The user is responsible for the plausibility of a given simulation, including realistic time management, ergonomics, and workload.

The following sections of this chapter are intended to provide you with an overview of the basic mode of operation with ema.