A configuration database associated with a digital design stores at least one data structure defining a Dial instance and a mapping between each possible input value of the Dial instance and a respective output value. The output value controls which of a number of different possible latch values is placed in a configuration latch to configure a functional portion of a simulation model of the digital design. The configuration database further indicates an association between the Dial instance and the configuration latch. In response to a request specifying an input value for the Dial instance, the data structure in the configuration database is accessed to determine an output value for the Dial instance based upon the mapping. In addition, a latch value for the configuration latch is obtained based upon the output value and the association indicated by the configuration database. The latch value is then utilized to set the configuration latch in the simulation model.