Abstract for: Starting from scratch: Better model construction

This workshop will be an introduction to model construction. This is not formulation, group model building, or testing. This is all about the process of using system dynamics software tools to create well built and robust simulations. We will examine the quality of model construction, personal processes that will improve modeling skill, and criteria for checking the 'well built' attribute of system dynamics models. The workshop is intended for people who are relatively new to the field, have encountered models that can't be understood, or do not have considerable modeling experience.