Conceptual modelling for designing large-scale simulations

Large-scale complex simulations take many years to develop and cost millions of dollars. Development of such simulations requires many areas of expertise and poses significant technical and managerial challenges. Some of the challenges can be met with the development and use of a conceptual model (CM). This paper describes a life cycle for the development of a simulation CM. The role of the CM in large-scale complex simulation model design is explained. The objectives under which a simulation CM should be created and used are enunciated. The life cycle presented provides a structured blueprint of simulation CM development and specifies the work products to be created under the designated processes together with the integrated verification and validation activities.