Resumen
This paper explains the relevance of situational simulations in the construction engineering and managementprocess. Most of the traditional simulations in construction belong to the optimization category. In contrast with theoptimization simulations, situational simulations are not based on the interrelationships and trade-off among measurablevariables. Situational simulations require the evaluation and interpretation of relevant information to "solve the crisis orproblem" and are appropriate for problems or situations that offer the rapid unfolding of events and the pressure fordecision-making. Situational simulations are also known as crisis management simulations, strategic simulations, and roleplayingsimulations. The construction engineering and management process is represented through three different models:the process model, the product model, and the information model. The process model represents the construction process,the product model symbolizes the physical facility that is being built, and the information model characterizes the datagenerated about the product and the process. A description of each model is presented in this paper in order to illustrate theconceptual framework needed to establish the foundation for situational simulations.