Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for simulation-based technical training on equipment, machinery, and software-based systems. The present invention is enabled by a data-driven simulation kernel. The data-driven simulation kernel encapsulates the structure of the system to be simulated in a data model that is decomposed into its constituent simulation components. The simulation components are structured hierarchically, mirroring the hierarchy of parts within parts in the actual system being simulated. Associated with each simulation component is a set of properties that define the user interface characteristics and states of that simulation component. The behavior of the simulation is driven by the sequence of state changes, specifically reflected as changes to the values of the properties of the constituent simulation components contained in the data model.