2.4) Iterative Process Of Model Building

Modelling and simulation is not a linear process and the model is usually not the main output but rather the problem we solved with it, or the research question we answered. Any model building process should therefore start with the purpose or problem entity.

Based on data and knowledge about the problem entity a conceptual model is designed, and implemented into a computer model. In an experimental setup several simulation runs with the computer model lead to simulation results, which can then be compared with the problem entity and interpreted. These four phases of model design, implementation, experimentation, and interpretation are iteratively repeated until the question is sufficiently accurately answered.

Source: Sargent, 1982; Page, 1991