Participatory modeling is a practical approach in system dynamics, with the aim of including all interested parties such as stakeholders or public in the decision-making process regarding environmental questions. It can be described as engaging non-scientists in the scientific process. The participants structure the problem, describe the system, create a computer model of the system, use the model to test policy interventions, and propose one or more solutions. Participatory modeling is often used in natural resources management, such as forests or water.
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There are numerous benefits from this type of modeling, including a high degree of ownership and motivation towards change for the people involved in the modeling process. There are two approaches which provide highly different goals for the modeling; continuous modeling and conference modeling.
Continuous modeling
The focus here is on the end-user being the active modeler. It can be incorporated into an adaptable, context-sensitive, "intelligent" system, which is suited to the individual. This combination is often referred to as "model generated workplace" or "model generated user environment". The basic concept is that the end-user potentially has the greatest domain knowledge and thus the organization as a whole benefits by obtaining and externalize this knowledge.
Conference modeling
Conference modeling is an approach where the goal often is of a more social kind, such as motivation, and change management. The idea is to involve a group of diversified people from the domain in question. Then the modeling process is developed in group participation during a fixed period of time.