Help & reference

Learning resources

Below are articles and resources to help get you started. Use the search link at the top of the page to search these pages and the knowledge base.

Articles

How To: Add Monte Carlo Simulation to Your Spreadsheet Models: This article walks through the process of adding Monte Carlo simulation analysis to an Excel spreadsheet with the RiskAMP Add-in.
Using Correlated Multivariate Distributions: This article describes the multivariate distributions and how to use them in your spreadsheets.
Monte Carlo Simulation in Project Planning: This article walks through using Monte Carlo simulation in project planning, with a worked example.
The beta-PERT Distribution: This article describes the beta-PERT distribution, used to model expert data (such as estimates from a project manager) in probability simulations.
Latin Hypercube Sampling: What is Latin Hypercube Sampling, and how does it compare to standard random sampling?
Using the RiskAMP Add-in with VBA: This article discusses running simulations from VBA.
Fitting Data to Random Distributions: How to use the RiskAMP distribution fitting tool to fit existing data to a random distribution.
Las Vegas Simulation: Support for Las Vegas algorithms with Las Vegas Simulation.

Sample spreadsheets

RiskAMP Walkthrough: Introduction to the add-in, including basic functions and how to use them.
Basic Examples: Investment Returns and Project Planning: This spreadsheet illustrates general uses of the RiskAMP Add-in in modeling investment returns and project planning.
Retirement Portfolio: This spreadsheet demonstrates a simple retirement portfolio, with an analysis of the portfolio risk based on a fixed annual withdrawal.
Retirement Portfolio with Contribution Period: This spreadsheet models a retirement plan prior to retirement, with a period of fixed contribution to the portfolio followed by a retirement period with a constant annual withdrawal amount.
Conditional Risk / Conditional Revenue Opportunity Model: This spreadsheet models conditional risks or conditional revenue opportunitues, each with a probability of occurrence and a distribution of possible outcomes.
Multivariate Distributions: This example demonstrates the correlated multivariate distribution functions. The example is described in detail in this article.
Correlated Asset Portfolio Example: This spreadsheet demonstrates the practical application of the multivariate normal function to create a 10-year portfolio model containing a weighted mix of correlated asset classes.
Interest Rates: This is an example of modeling interest rates. The spreadsheet uses the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross model to sample interest rates over multiple discrete periods.
Value at Risk: This spreadsheet illustrates estimating value at risk (VaR) with the RiskAMP add-in. Based on the gain or loss from a spreadsheet model, VaR can be estimated easily with the SimulationPercentile function.

Reference

Whitepaper: What is Monte Carlo Simulation?: This whitepaper is an overview of Monte Carlo simulations, and discusses the situations that can take advantage of risk management and stochastic analysis.
RiskAMP function reference: Help on individual RiskAMP spreadsheet functions. This content is also linked directly from the Excel add-in.

Troubleshooting

Fixing a disabled add-in: Help fixing a disabled add in; check this page if the Monte Carlo toolbar is missing, or if you see a message that the add-in has been disabled.
Manual installation: Check this page if you have problems with the regular install process.