GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 1
GoldSim User ConferenceSan Francisco, CA
October 25-26, 2007
GoldSim Tutorial:Model Building Tips for Organizations
Creating Models that can be Easily Shared and Reused
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 2
Overview
Why Would I Want to Make My Models Easier to Share and Reuse?
How Can I Make My Models Easier to Share and Reuse?– Discussion of Modeling, Documentation,
and Style Conventions Creating a Model Library
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 3
Why Would I Want to Make My Models Easier to Share and Reuse?
Models can be built faster (and in organizations with many GoldSim users, much faster)– Consultants should be prepared to charge and end-users
should be prepared to pay for value, not time
Models will have less errors– Modules can be extensively tested
Models will become more realistic– Time can be spent on improving models and making them
better instead of reinventing the wheel
Models that can be easily shared and reused generally are also models that are very transparent– Transparent models are more likely to actually be used to
support decision-making
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 4
How Can I Make My Models Easier to Share and Reuse?
Build transparent models– see Tauxe and Catlett presentation
Be consistent– Individual users should use a consistent set
of modeling, documentation and style conventions
– Organizations with multiple users (or companies with multiple GoldSim consultants) should agree upon, document and enforce a consistent set of conventions
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 5
Creating a Set of Conventions
There is no one correct way to build a good model However, models must use a consistent set of
conventions to be good models– Models with multiple styles and sets of conventions
are very difficult to use Within an organization, this will require meetings and
negotiation Types of conventions to implement:
– Model structure and organization– Naming conventions– Documentation conventions
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 6
Creating a Set of Conventions (cont.)
Do not over-specify the conventions If the rules are too rigid, they could have the
effect of making some models less transparent
The more restrictive the rules, the higher the likelihood that they will be ignored
Let’s examine some examples of the types of conventions you might specify
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 7
Conventions for Model Structure and Organization
Top-level organization of models
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 8
Brief model description
However, keep in mind that
often, a picture is
worth a 1000 words
Clear Model Title
Containers separating
inputs and key results from
Model
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 9
Conventions for Model Structure and Organization
Top-level organization of models Use of Container protection
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 10
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 11
Conventions for Model Structure and Organization
Top-level organization of models Use of Container protection Cloning Data elements
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 12
Cloning Data Elements in a Model
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 13
Conventions for Model Structure and Organization
Top-level organization of models Use of Container protection Cloning Data elements Use of cloned Containers
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 14
Using Cloned Containers
A A B
X = f(A,B)
B
X = f(A,B)
Clone1 Clone2
Localized Localized
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 15
Conventions for Model Structure and Organization
Top-level organization of models Use of Container protection Cloning Data elements Use of cloned Containers Use of hyperlinks as navigational aids
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 16
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 17
Documentation Conventions
Consistent set of documentation so that people always know how to dig deeper into the model
Things to address:– How input data is documented (e.g., notes
with hyperlinks)– Use of Descriptions and Notes– Use of Text Boxes and Graphics– Use of Hyperlinks– Use of custom images for elements
• Use only at high levels• Create an image library
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 18
Naming Conventions
One of the easiest ways to build consistent models that can be shared
Examples:– Inflow_xxx– Expense_xxx– Volume_xxx
This not only makes the models easier for others to understand, but it should help you better understand and navigate your own models
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 19
Rules for Building Dashboards
Create a template that everyone uses Specify style guidelines (e.g.,
documentation, navigation)
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 20
Developing a Model Library
Facilitates rapid development and sharing of models– Leverages prior work and maintains
consistency A “gatekeeper” should be identified to make
sure only high quality models are posted There are intellectual property (IP) issues
that must be considered– We will discuss this in the Panel Discussion
GoldSim Technology Group LLC, 2007
Slide 21
Final Words
Building models that can be shared and reused has very clear advantages
Doing so requires creation of some standards and procedures (none of which are onerous)
I have yet to see this happen in any organization