Article ID: | iaor20091443 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 59 |
Issue: | 3 |
Start Page Number: | 278 |
End Page Number: | 290 |
Publication Date: | Mar 2008 |
Journal: | Journal of the Operational Research Society |
Authors: | Robinson S. |
Keywords: | validation |
Conceptual modelling is probably the most important aspect of a simulation study. It is also the most difficult and least understood. Over 40 years of simulation research and practice have provided only limited information on how to go about designing a simulation conceptual model. This paper, the first of two, discusses the meaning of conceptual modelling and the requirements of a conceptual model. Founded on existing literature, a definition of a conceptual model is provided. Four requirements of a conceptual model are described: validity, credibility, utility and feasibility. The need to develop the simplest model possible is also discussed. Owing to a paucity of advice on how to design a conceptual model, the need for a conceptual modelling framework is proposed. Built on the foundations laid in this paper, a conceptual modelling framework is described in the paper that follows.