SIMETRA - Simulation environment for testing digital transformation strategies in engineering for SMEs

Initial situation and problem definition

The digital transformation of engineering processes poses significant challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Technologies and methods such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), data mining, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and AI-assisted finite element (FE) simulations offer substantial potential for productivity gains; however, their adoption remains limited. According to Bitkom, only around 42% of companies were using AI as of 2025. Many organizations lack methodological guidance, sufficient resources, and decision-making confidence for the implementation of new approaches. At the same time, transformation pressure is increasing, while poor decisions entail considerable economic risks. Existing approaches typically provide abstract recommendations, such as maturity models, but offer little practical support for systematically testing and evaluating transformation strategies under realistic conditions.

Project goals

The objective of the SIMETRA project is to develop an engineering simulator as a hybrid, realistic experimental environment. This simulator enables SMEs to systematically simulate and evaluate transformation strategies toward digitally supported engineering. The focus is on data-driven methods such as AI-based requirements extraction, data mining for cost estimation, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE). Companies will be empowered to rigorously analyze the impact on key performance indicators (KPIs), including development time, costs, and result quality. This provides a robust decision-making basis for the company-specific and risk-reduced implementation of new technologies and methods.

Solution approach 

The solution approach is based on the development of a hybrid simulation environment that combines physical and digital elements with a mathematical, rule-based simulation model. The engineering simulator is designed to represent real development conditions, including roles, methods, data availability, tools, and their interdependencies. Through structured experiments, parameters such as method application, organizational structures, and information availability can be systematically varied, and their effects on key performance indicators (KPIs) can be captured. In contrast to conventional simulation solutions that focus primarily on physical product properties, SIMETRA specifically addresses methodological, organizational, and information-technological processes in engineering. The engineering simulator acts as a “digital sandbox” in which companies can test transformation scenarios without risk and derive data-driven decisions for practical implementation. Based on these insights, targeted and company-specific implementation strategies can be realized.

Funding information

The SIMETRA cooperation project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Lower Saxony, under the “Stronger Developed Region” (SER) program with €242,000.