Evaluation of complex models

Abstract

This paper is written for the analyst who must undertake the independent evaluation of a complex model in order to assess whether or not the model can and should be used in decision making situations. The need for such evaluations is reviewed, along with discussions of the modeling steps, verification and validation of models and the evaluation process. By applying the evaluation process, it is felt that an evaluator can accomplish a rather thorough assessment of a specific model and thereby be able to make recommendations as to the use of the model. The author wishes to acknowledge the substantial contributions made by the works cited in the references, with special emphasis to the material of Schellenberger[20], Emshoff and Sisson[9], Van Horn[24], Hermann[14] and Naylor and Finger[19]. © 1977.