Simulation exercises are designed to mimic real incident responses in as close to a real-time environment as possible but usually involve only the key personnel whose roles are critical in managing the disruption. The CBCI 7.0 materials specify that simulation exercises test the decision making, coordination, and response of these essential participants rather than the entire workforce, ensuring focused and practical validation of plans and capabilities. They differ from discussion-based exercises, which involve broader participation and are scenario discussions without time constraints. Simulation exercises maintain real-time pressures and operational realism, although full scenario details are typically not disclosed upfront to simulate uncertainty.