Modeling By Elaboration: An Application To Visual Process Simulation

Abstract

Attempts to expand the role of OR/MS into the broader community have been limited in part by the difficulties of educating non-OR/MS professionals concerning the intricacies of modeling. The purpose of this paper is to present and illustrate a new methodology called Modeling by Elaboration (MBE). This methodology assists naïve as well as advanced modelers in developing complex models through a process of systematically “elaborating” a fundamental model linked to a specified problem domain. The differences between MBE and other well-known modeling paradigms, such as top-down modeling and rapid prototyping, are discussed. We provide a framework for model elaboration that uses definitional, structural, and hybrid modifications. The MBE process is illustrated using a visual simulation package us applied in a retail-banking domain. Implications of MBE are discussed from three perspectives: learning, software developers, and the organizations for which the models were developed. For future research, we suggest conducting comparative studies of MBE versus traditional modeling approaches in controlled experimental settings, and applying expert systems technology to direct users towards the most appropriate elaboration schemes.

Résumé

Les tentatives d’extension du rôle de la Recherche Opérationnelle et des Sciences de la Gestion (OR/MS) à une communauté élargie ont été en partie limitées par les difficultés de familiariser au domaine complexe du modelage les professionnels qui n’étaient pas aguerris aux techniques de Recherche opérationnelle et aux Sciences de la Gestion. L’objectif de cet essai est de présenter et de mettre en oeuvre une méthodologie innovatrice dénommée “Modelage par élaboration” (MBE). Cette méthodologie permet d’assister aussi bien le modeleur novice que confirmé dans le développement de modèles complexes à travers le processus d’élaboration systématique d’un modèle fondamental relié à un domaine problématique spécifique. Les différences entre le MBE et d’autres archétypes biens connus du modelage, tells que le modelage de haut en bas ainsi que le prototyping accéléré seront traités dans le cadre de cette analyse. Nous y définissons des critères permettant l’élaboration de modèles se servant de modifications définitionnelles, structurelles et hybrides. Le procédé MBE est mis en oeuvre utilisant un ensemble de simulations visuelles selon la même application que dans les milieux bancaires et de la vente. Les implications du MBE sont évoquées selon trois perspectives : l’apprentissage, les promoteurs de software et les structures pour lesquelles les modèles ont été mis en valeur. Pour une étude plus approfondie, nous recommandons la conduite d’une étude comparative mettant en valeur les qualités du MBE par rapport aux approches traditionnelles de modelage dans le cadre de structures expérimentales contrôlées et appliquant ta technologie de systèmes expérimentés afin de diriger les utilisateurs vers les procédés d’élaboration les plus appropriés.

Key Words:

• Modeling by Elaboration
• Process simulation
• OR/MS education
• Naïve modeler

Mots-clés:

• modelage par élaboration
• simulation de procédé
• enseignement de la Recherche opérationnelle et des Sciences de la Gestion
• Modeleur novice

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert L. Nydick

Robert Nydick, Ph.D. is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Decision and Information Technologies at Villanova University. Dr. Nydick has published numerous articles in the decision support and education of management science areas and has participated in grants funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and Aetna U.S. Healthcare. Most recently his research has focused on the application of the analytic hierarchy process in medical decision making settings.

Matthew J. Liberatore

Matthew J. Liberatore, Ph.D. is the John F. Connelly Chair in Management and Professor of Decision and Information Technologies at Villanova University. Dr. Liberatore has published over fifty journal articles in management science, information systems, project management, and R&D management, and has led or participated in grants funded by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. His current research focuses on project selection and scheduling and medical decision-making.

Q B. Chung

Dr. Q B. Chung is Associate Professor of Management Information Systems at Villanova University. He earned his Ph.D. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and MBA from State University of New York at Albany. The theme of his research has been enhancement of the quality of managerial decisions through information technology and decision models. His research interests cover both application areas and methodological issues such as impact of information technology on organizations, business applications of artificial intelligence, knowledge management by decision models, and corporate strategy for electronic commerce. His recent research has focused on assessment of e-business models, and development of mobile commerce strategies.