Model Design Based on the Systems Approach

Abstract

It is shown how the (extended) systems approach can be successfully used to design mathematical models in a highly systematic way. The systems approach supports interdisciplinarity in that it encourages participation of non-mathematicians in the model design process. The systems approach also leads to a clear documentation of a model.

The basic principle explained in this paper is that indices of a model represent elements of an element set of a system, and that variables and constants of a model represent attributes of the elements. Multi-indexed variables and constants refer to attributes of ‘complex entities’ (from extended systems terminology) which cover the information between the elements.