simulation_cycle.tex

\begin{figure}[!htp] \centering
\begin{tikzpicture}

\def \radius {3cm}
\def \margin {10} % margin in angles, depends on the radius 
\def \n {6}

\draw[color=white, name path=c] (0:\radius) arc (0:360:\radius);

\node[draw, rounded corners, fill=white, name path=realitynode] at ({360/\n * 2}:\radius) (reality) {Reality of interest}; 
\node[name path=qualificationnode] at ({360/\n * 0.66}:\radius) (qualification) {Qualification}; %

\node[draw, rounded corners, fill=white, name path=conceptualmodelnode] at ({360/\n * 0}:\radius) (conceptualmodel) {Conceptual model};
\node[name path=verificationnode] at ({360/\n * 5.33}:\radius) (verification) {Verification}; % 

\node[draw, rounded corners, fill=white, name path=computermodelnode] at ({360/\n * 4}:\radius) (computermodel) {Computer model};
\node[name path=validationnode] at ({360/\n * 3}:\radius) (validation) {Validation}; % 

\path[name intersections={of=realitynode and c, by={i1, i2}}];
\path[name intersections={of=conceptualmodelnode and c, by={i3, i4}}];
\path[name intersections={of=computermodelnode and c, by={i5, i6}}];

\path[name intersections={of=qualificationnode and c, by={i7, i8}}];
\path[name intersections={of=verificationnode and c, by={i9, i10}}];
\path[name intersections={of=validationnode and c, by={i11, i12}}];

\draw[->, >=latex, ACMRed] (reality) -- (conceptualmodel) node[midway, fill=white, text=black]{Modeling};
\draw[->, >=latex, ACMRed] (conceptualmodel) -- (computermodel) node[midway, fill=white, text=black]{Implementation};
\draw[->, >=latex, ACMRed] (computermodel) -- (reality) node[midway, fill=white, text=black, anchor=west, xshift=-1em]{Simulation};

\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i1) to[bend left=29] (i7);
\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i3) to[bend right=15] (i8);

\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i4) to[bend left=15] (i9);
\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i6) to[bend right=29] (i10);

\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i5) to[bend left=23] (i12);
\draw[->, >=latex, ACMDarkBlue] (i2) to[bend right=23] (i11);

\end{tikzpicture}
\caption{The interplay between the reality of interest, the conceptual and computer model: The red arrows indicate the transitions during the model development, the blue arrows indicate the quality assurance approaches.}
\label{fig_model_lifecycle}
\end{figure}