HLA Policy and Process Training Module

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Conceptual Modeling- How do we move forward?-The
Next Step
Jack Jake Borah Senior Systems Engineer The
AEgis Technologies Group Inc. jborah_at_aegistg.com
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Where We Have Been

• Conceptual Models and Conceptual Modeling
  have been topical for recent SIWs
• Work by Haddix 01F-SIW-098 and Lacy
  01S-SIW-074 have highlighted the need to
  reconcile multiple views of conceptual modeling
• Critical shortcoming is that the purpose of
  conceptual models have not been clearly
  understood in the community

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Why We Model

• Motivation for Modeling
• Banks, Carson, and Nelson - a representation of
  a system for the purpose of studying the system
• Rothenburg- cost effective use of something in
  place of something else for some purpose
• Models are built as representations for a
  definitive purpose, which is established in the
  simulation development process

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What We Model
Real System
Computer
Modeling
Simulation
Model
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Why Have a Conceptual Model?

• A simulation developers method of translating
  modeling requirements into a detailed design
  framework- Pace
• Part of Rothenburgs cost-effective model
  constructed for a cognitive purpose
• Embodiment of the communications of Zeiglers
  modeling process
• Result of the Art of Modeling or the process of
  analysis, abstraction, simplification, and
  synthesis within a simulation development
  project

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Precepts of Conceptual Modeling I

• No hard and fast rules concerning model
  formulation
• No magic formulas governing what should be
  included in a model in the form of variables and
  parameters, descriptive relationships and
  constraints, or criterion for judgment of
  effectiveness
• Nobody solves the problem, rather everybody
  solves the model that they have constructed of
  the problem

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Precepts of Conceptual Modeling II

• No single conceptual model due to the essence of
  the Art of Modeling
• Multiple iterations of a conceptual model which
  evolve as required by in simulation development
• A living document that grows from an informal
  description to a formal description to
  communicate between the diverse groups
  (sponsors/users, modelers, systems engineers, and
  software developers) participating in a
  simulation development

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Where Do We Go Now?

• A Distinct Lack of Authoritative Reference
  Material on Conceptual Modeling as a part of
  Simulation Development
• Conceptual Modeling is not a term discussed in
  modeling and simulation textbooks
• Web searches on Conceptual Modeling have led to
  a diverse set of web sites that contributed
  little if anything the body of knowledge
• Most often Conceptual Modeling was in relation
  to Database Modeling

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The Answer- A SISO Study Group

• The audience feedback from the Spring SIW paper
  was that a Study Group was needed
• SISO Policies and Procedures states that the
  EXCOM may establish Study Groups to consider
  specific issues and to provide recommendations
  concerning proposed courses of action
• Study groups shall operate under specific Terms
  of Reference that identify the issues and the
  specific questions that need to be addressed.

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SISO Study Group Terms of Reference

• Designate the leadership of the Study Group
• Designate the form of the outputs expected
• Designate the time schedule for the generation of
  outputs
• Normally the life span will not exceed one or two
  semi-annual Workshop cycles

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Initial Study Group Steps

• The Conference Committee and Standards Activity
  Committee will designate members as POCs
• Study Group Leader will be appointed to refine
  TOR and build core SG team
• TOR will be reviewed by the CC and SAC and passed
  to EXCOM for final review and approval
• An open email reflector will be established for
  SG use
• SG documents under development are posted on SISO
  web site for community review and comment

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Follow-on Study Group Steps

• CC and SAC POCs will keep their committees
  informed on SG progress, review SG outputs, and
  make recommendations to EXCOM
• EXCOM will consider SG outputs along with CC and
  SAC recommendations and determine what actions
  (if any) should be taken by SISO
• Upon acceptance, SGs report is considered SISO
  Reference Product and archived for future SISO
  community use

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Conceptual Modeling Study Group

• Our experience has shown that the time is
  right--Lets Roll
• Simulation Conceptual Modeling SG TOR
• If interested, contact email jborah_at_aegistg.com
• Tell members of EXCOM, CC, SAC (pages 27-29)
• Follow-On Discussion