The aim of this work is to propose a methodology for the conception of a model for the simulation of production systems. The model will take into account the representation of the distributed and cognitive behaviors of decisional actors, and will permits de study of organizational changes. The abandon of traditional structures, and the emergence of a new demand for more varied products, has brought uncertainty inside manufacturing systems. Market instability and rapid development of new technologies can both be. considered as uncertainty factors that increase complexity inside manufacturing systems. Those systems are increasingly fleXIble ( capacity of making varied products) and integrated. Whereas taylorist firms were faced with a relatively predictable reality, present day firms are faced to a widely impredictable one, the flexibility which allows the firm to fit with a very unstable industrial environment cannot be simulated with a simple cybemetic structure, it is necessary to build a structure which takes the actors' autonomy into account. Taking these points into consideration a modelling process was proposed beginning with the construction of a conceptual model for the representation of manufacturing systems. This model is a multilevel decision-making model based on an approach inspired by systemic and meta-systemic concepts. In order to describe the knowledge which influences behaviors and decision making, Multi-Agents Systems were studied as means for describing the behaviors and the interactions of autonomous actors. The model obtained was then used for simulation using Discrete Event Simulation concepts and object oriented implementation, and it was tested on two examples : the first one being conceptual and pedagogical, and the second one conceming an industrial situation.
