Second International Workshop on Strategies for Collaborative Modeling and
Simulation
to be held in conjunction with the
16th International Conference on Conceptual Modeling (ER'97)
Los Angeles, California, USA
3 - 6 November 1997
http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/ER97
The workshop will focus on improving collaboration between technical
specialists in computer-supported modeling methods and subject matter
experts in the domains being modeled.
Workshop Description
Computer-supported modeling and simulation approaches of many kinds are
becoming increasingly important to cross-functional teams charged with
understanding business processes and developing solutions. These teams
are often composed of members from many disciplines and backgrounds. Many
of the members may be unfamiliar with formal modeling approaches, such as
those used with structured systems analysis, discrete event simulations,
system dynamics, action workflow, process modeling methods such as IDEF,
object-oriented modeling, knowledge modeling, and others.
Researchers are beginning to address is the gap between specialists who
are deeply familiar with the modeling tools in use, and team members who
have little or no such background, but are deeply engaged in and
knowledgeable about the subject matter of the modeling effort (such as a
business process redesign or an organizational change project).
Such cross-functional modeling efforts can be characterized in terms of
four distinct "methodologies." Each methodology addresses a dimension of
the interplay between modeling specialists and domain experts or
participants (two or more methodologies may be collapsed together in a
given project situation):
Methodology M1 - A methodology that enables a team to perceive a system
and construct static models. The models can be a mix of formal and
informal methods and representational strategies, possibly (but not
inherently) involving the use of a modeling tool. The output of
methodology M1 is a set of descriptive models.
Methodology M2 - A methodology for participatory design of "runnable"
models, such as simulation models and design in a CASE tool. In
Methodology M2, participants represent their subject matter domain using
the formal language and representational conventions associated with a
modeling tool. The output of methodology M2 is a dynamic model that is
ready to run.
Methodology M3 - A methodology for implementing and debugging a simulation
or CASE model. Methodology M3 is very tool-specific, and is focused on the
creation of dynamic models. As part of this methodology there are two
issues at hand: an understanding of how to build useful and effective
simulation models, and a need for development tools and techniques for the
model-builder as a user of a simulation tool. The output of methodology M3
is a fully functional dynamic model.
Methodology M4 - A methodology for inquiry into a simulation. Methodology
M4 refers to a consistent way for a simulation's end users a team to
view, work with, discuss, understand, validate, and apply the results of a
simulation in their design work. The output of methodology M4 is the data
and analysis that a team needs to accomplish their work.
This workshop will explore methods of increasing the quality and depth of
collaboration in such modeling efforts, along each of the dimensions
outlined above. The workshop will focus on the "soft" issues of modeling,
such as participation, development of shared understanding, and usability
of tools and approaches, rather than "hard" aspects such as model
validity, quantitative methods, and computational issues. The goal of the
workshop is to collect experiences and develop strategies to improve
modeling and simulation by teams.
An area of special interest is enabling teams of workers who are not
schooled in analytical methods and modeling approaches to participate
effectively in modeling and simulation efforts. Workshop participants will
review case studies, theoretical frameworks, tools and techniques and
identify key directions for further research. Participants will report on
their experiences and share current thinking on strategies, tools, and
techniques that can enable teams to build, understand, and apply
computer-supported models and simulations.
Paper Submissions
Position papers should describe an approach to the problem of enabling
cross-functional teams to collaborate effectively in building,
understanding, and applying models and simulations. Each paper must
indicate which one (or more) of the four methodologies described above
that their paper addresses, and must be explicit about how their
experience or approach addresses the issues of that methodology(s). The
papers should be based on real-world experience that the authors have
gained in collaborative modeling and simulation, and should contain a
description of the context and type of participants in the experience.
Suggested Topics
- Experiences or case studies of using modeling techniques with a team of
designers and analysts that include non-specialists in modeling, such as
end users or workers in an organization
- Theoretical frameworks for modeling or facilitation frameworks that
enable non-specialists to participate in a modeling effort
- Descriptions of modeling or facilitation techniques that address the
"soft" issues of modeling and simulation
Researchers and practitioners interested in participating in the workshop
may submit either a full paper (maximum 5,000 words) describing completed
research, or a 3-5 page position statement describing their interest in
the workshop theme. Submissions should be sent as e-mail attachments (Word
documents, WordPerfect documents, or plain ASCII text), or three printed
copies, to the workshop co-chairs (see below).
A copy of the workshop proceedings will be made available to all
participants.
Submissions should include email and postal addresses of contact
authors, and should be received by August 15, 1997.
Potential participants are encouraged to email the workshop chair to
discuss
the suitability of specific research projects to the workshop theme.
Workshop participants must register for the ER'97 conference and pay an
additional $50 workshop fee.
WORKSHOP CO-CHAIRS
Albert M. Selvin and Maarten Sierhuis
NYNEX Science & Technology, Inc.
White Plains, NY 10604 USA
(914) 644-2156
selvin@nynexst.com
sierhuis@nynexst.com
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission Deadline: 15 August 1997
Notification: 31 August 1997
Workshop: 6-7 November 1997
ER'97 Web Site: http://osm7.cs.byu.edu/ER97
--"Albert M. Selvin" <selvin@nynexst.com>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>