Model input management: a case study

Abstract

In many cases, model developers deliver models to model users who analyze alterna tives by changing model input values. These model users need software capabilities and an interface that supports the process of data entry and editing as well as selection among input values to define a scenario for analysis. In addition, the interface must use context specific language. Such an interface was developed to unite, for the model user, three inter-related models of a network of petroleum inventories. A database manage ment system, transparent to the model user, was used to implement the capabilities accessed through the user interface. Thus, this case study illustrates requirements for model user software support and one way of meeting them.