Guide for Authors

This document is meant to provide some additional guidance for SimBuild authors beyond the formatting requirements provided in the Microsoft Word and LaTeX templates.

We recommend that authors also read the Guide for Reviewers to better understand the criteria according to which their papers will be rated.

Emphasize Impact

Start your paper off strong by keeping the “so what” in mind when you write it. Why does your work matter? What is the motivation behind it? Weave this motivation into the introduction section and throughout the paper. Consider adding an explicit impact statement at the end of your introduction which summarizes the most significant contributions from your paper in a sentence or two.

Consider the following

Consider the following to make sure your paper will make in impact in the field:

Consider Your Audience

When writing your paper, consider the audience who will be reading it. As this is a simulation-focused conference, most readers will be familiar with core simulation concepts. For applied research, provide more background on the non-simulation aspects and explain how specific circumstances influenced your design decisions. For more theoretical work, clarify the research gap to help readers understand the value of your contribution. You may also choose to address your target audience directly in the abstract or introduction — for example, “This paper is intended for researchers and practitioners interested in [topic].”

Understand Your Paper Type

The building simulation community includes individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. Depending on your paper type, you may present similar content in different ways.

Research Papers:

  • Summarize the relevant field to make your work accessible to a broader audience.
  • Clearly identify the research gap your work addresses and how your study contributes to filling it.
  • Highlight what makes your research novel or innovative.
  • Include enough detail to ensure your research is reproducible.
  • Support your claims with strong evidence, such as case studies or data analysis.

Case Study Papers:

  • Provide background on your project, including the context and boundary conditions.

  • Clearly define the questions you set out to answer, and summarize your findings.

  • Emphasize what makes your case study unique—such as specific challenges or adaptations required by project conditions.

  • Share lessons learned that may be useful to others facing similar scenarios.

Further Guidance

​If you’d like to improve your paper-writing skills, check out Your Guide to SimBuild Success — a recorded webinar series available anytime. This 7-part playlist covers writing abstracts, structuring papers, and creating impactful visualizations.