Modeling by Construction: A New Methodology for Constructing Models for Decision Support - System Sciences, 1996., Proceedings of the Twenty-Ninth Hawaii International Conference on ,

When to compare the fields of model building and m d e l solving / analyzing, it is the lmer that is more widely researched and understood. ThB is particularly true in respect of the construction of solving -paradigm-free representations (i.e. created not for a special solving method like e.g. linear programming) such as are needed in the case of general models for decision support, to function as problem descriptions. The process of formulating such modeh is supported badly in a conceptual and in a technical way. In this paper we focus on the conceptual way. Model building ist viewed as a creative act, which needs constructive achievement, and which is not only a mapping of reality. We provide a framework for a step-by-step conception and formulation of general models for decision support in an easyto-use and problemdriven manner. Modeling by construction is based on a theoretical ‘concept of independence’ which definitwn B directly derivedfrom element types of a problem. It b shown that a distinction between semantic and conceptual modeling is arguable on this basis. This concept of independence is the foundation of the definition of eight modeling levels which can function as components of the modeling process. We shall discuss these levekr in detail. We supply an example which uses a graphical modeling language carefully suited to the levek;. Some implications for the transformation operations of the graphical model are considered. We view our methodology not as a replacement of GEOFFNON’S structured modeling, but as a complementary approach to the difficult task of general decision model construction.