For the main methods of object formalization (activity simulation, event modeling, transactional, aggregate and process methods of simulation), the principles of quasi-parallelism organization are considered and 19 modeling automation systems are analyzed. The methodology for building and testing simulation models of complex systems for selected simulation methods is discussed. Typical stages of creating and using models are considered: compiling a meaningful description of an object, developing its conceptual model, formalizing and converting it into a model description, programming and debugging the model program, testing and researching model properties, planning simulation experiments and operating the model. The techniques are illustrated for each simulation method. Methods and means of increasing the manufacturability of experiments are proposed, including ways to increase the level of modeling technology in two modeling complexes: PLSIM and ASIM. An example of building a simulation model of a computational process in the EU OS for batch processing of tasks based on real statistics on the structure of the solved problems is presented. For scientists specializing in the design of complex systems; can be useful to engineers.