OptDef User Training

OptTek offers a full 3-day training course at our Boulder, CO headquarters, virtual 4-hour short courses, or custom onsite courses at your facility – equipping defense modeling and simulation analysts with the skills to get the most from their simulation models using the OptDef simulation optimization and analysis tool. Training is offered focusing on different custom integrations such as AFSIM and STORM and is also offered for the basic integration layer which enables analysts to connect with custom models built in Python, R, Java, Matlab, Excel, and other languages and frameworks.

We offer a 30% discount for additional registrations for participants in the same class from the same organization.

Full 3-day Course at our Boulder, CO Headquarters

Full OptDef training is offered as a 3-day course. Throughout the class lectures, examples, and hands-on exercises are interspersed to ensure students leave with the confidence to apply what they have learned to their own simulation models and analysis after the class. Students will be provided with the OptDef software and training materials in advance. Bringing a laptop with OptDef and the simulation model they will be using for the course installed is recommended for students to fully participate in all training activities and gain the most benefit from the course. The standard 3-day training course has the following agenda:

Day 3:

• Advanced Topics (continued): Compound and dependent inputs, dynamic replication management, advanced run options, continuing runs and updating previous results, saving inputs and outputs, autosave, logging, troubleshooting, integration layer details
• Student Project: students will complete the course working on an OptDef project similar to their current or future work with guidance from OptTek experts to ensure full understanding and confidence in using OptDef effectively

4-hour Virtual Courses

For all virtual training classes analysts will be provided the current version of OptDef and class materials in advance. Analysts are strongly encouraged to take the class from a location where they have OptDef and their simulation model available on a computer so they can follow along and work the provided scenario examples locally during the class session.

Course 1: OptDef Basics

A great class for those new to OptDef or those looking to gain more confidence in the basics of using OptDef in standard mode to set up and execute an OptDef run and then explore and analyze the results.

This class will include working through example configuration and setup of studies based on the types of models class members are running (AFSIM, STORM, Python, etc.). The class will include lecture, live examples, and analyst exercises. Class members will receive example files and scenarios in advance so they can work through class activities during the class and will also have these example files to reference and build from after the class session.

The OptDef Basics course will cover the following areas:

Model Preparation:
How to create the hooks in your model to allow wrapping and automated run management with OptDef

Study Setup:
Managing inputs to vary, outputs to collect, statistics, constraints, objectives, suggested runs, and design of experiments

Run Management:
Basic replication management, stopping options, basic run options, and monitoring progress and completed runs

Post-Run Analysis:
Variable sensitivities, data filtering, scatter plots, heatmaps, parallel coordinates plots, and clustering

Course 2: Advanced Topics

If you know how to use OptDef but want to get even more out of OptDef, attend the Advanced Topics class and become an OptDef power user.

This class will include working through example files and studies based on the types of models class members are running (AFSIM, STORM, Python, etc.). The class will include lecture, live examples, and analyst exercises. Class members will receive example files and scenarios in advance so they can work through class activities during the class and will also have these example files to reference and build from after the class session.

The Advanced Topics course will cover the following areas:

Setup:
Compound and dependent inputs, custom expressions, and importing runs

Run Execution:
Continuing runs and updating previous results, dynamic replication management, advanced run options, saving inputs and outputs

Other Features:
Autosave, integration layer details, and reports.

HPC integration and Scripted Execution:
Integration with high performance computing resources and headless or scripted OptDef run execution

Troubleshooting:
Examining logs, logging levels, command line execution, replicating issues

Course 3: Adaptive Sampling and Surrogate Models

OptDef is traditionally used for optimization or design of experiment runs in standard mode, but there is also an adaptive sampling mode. In contrast to a design of experiments run or a simple parametric sweep in which all runs are planned a priori, adaptive sampling chooses each next run dynamically based on previous run results and the analyst’s adaptive sampling goals. This class will cover the basic concept of Kriging that is used in adaptive sampling and how to use OptDef to perform efficient response surface discovery and efficient boundary finding on a response surface using the OptDef adaptive sampling mode.

Once a run in standard mode or adaptive sampling mode has been executed, a surrogate model can be created in OptDef from the results and used as a very rapid predictor for a new set of input values. This surrogate model can be used as a one-off what if capability or can be embedded in another application or process. This class will cover how to use previous OptDef run results as a surrogate model and how to embed a surrogate model in another process or application.

This class will include working through example configuration and setup of studies based on the types of models class members are running (AFSIM, STORM, Python, etc.). The class will include lecture, live examples, and analyst exercises. Class members will receive example files and scenarios in advance so they can work through class activities during the class and will also have these example files to reference and build from after the class session.

This course will cover the following areas:

Adaptive Sampling Mode:
Setup differences between standard mode and adaptive sampling mode, adaptive sampling measures and uncertainty, space filling, variance-based space filling, and boundary finding, convergence graphs and metrics

Metamodels / Surrogate models:
Using surrogate models built from collected simulation data to provide rapid look up and estimation for one off calculations, reports, or other applications

Onsite Training

OptTek personnel can provide OptDef training in person at your location. The standard 3-day course can be provided, or a custom course can be prepared based on your needs.  For onsite training reach out with the contact form at the bottom of the page to discuss availability and pricing. Pricing varies based on location, length, number of participants, and number of instructors.