MODFORM: A Knowledge-based Tool to Support the Modeling Process.

Author List: Raghunathan, Srinivasan; Krishnan, Ramayya; May, Jerrold H.;
Information Systems Research, 1993, Volume 4, Issue 4, Page 331-358.
The value of mathematical modeling and analysis in the decision support context is well recognized. However, the complex and evolutionary nature of the modeling process has limited its widespread use. In this paper, we describe our work on knowledge-based tools which support the formulation and revision of mathematical programming models. in contrast to previous work on this topic, we base our work on an indepth empirical investigation of experienced modelers and present three results: (a) a model of the modeling process of experienced modelers derived using concurrent verbal protocol analysis. Our analysis indicates that modeling is a synthetic process that relates specific features found in the problem to its mathematical model. These relationships. which are seldom articulated by modelers, are also used to revise models. (b) an implementation of a modeling support system called MODFORM based on this observationally derived model, and (c) the results of a preliminary experiment which indicates that users of MODFORM build models comparable to those formulated by experts. We use the formulation of mathematical programming models of production planning problems illustratively throughout the paper.
Keywords: Knowledge based systems; Model management; Object based methods; Process analysis
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#191 0.451 model models process analysis paper management support used environment decision provides based develop use using help literature mathematical presented formulation
#129 0.109 expert systems knowledge knowledge-based human intelligent experts paper problem acquisition base used expertise intelligence domain inductive rules machine artificial task
#184 0.084 modeling models model business research paradigm components using representation extension logical set existing way aspects issues current integrated languages traditional
#60 0.064 analysis techniques structured categories protocol used evolution support methods protocols verbal improve object-oriented difficulties analyses category benchmark comparison provided recognition
#17 0.056 empirical model relationships causal framework theoretical construct results models terms paper relationship based argue proposed literature issues assumptions provide suggest
#167 0.053 workflow tools set paper management specification command support formal implemented scenarios associated sequence large derived taxonomies called given systematic specifications