13.1.3 Communication Between Decision Makers
and Modellers
Very often, model making will seem mysterious to users. It is judicious that
modellers take some steps to dispel the misconceptions. Methods to educate decision
makers about modelling, their construction and capabilities include the following:
(1) Concise problem definition from the decision maker’s perspective
(2) Practical workshops
(3) Use some real cases
(4) Display the results from the model visually
1. Concise problem definition from the decision maker’s perspective.
Decision or policy makers as well as departmental heads require only certain
information to work effectively. Not enough information may lead to bad decisions,
but more information than necessary may divert attention from the required decisions. Therefore, the modeller should provide only what is required for the decision
to be taken.
During the model construction process, should the decision makers’ perception of
the problem change, the modeller must consider these changes in order to finish with
a usable model for the intended customers. Regular meetings, indicating the progress
of works and on screen results will be helpful.
2. Practical workshops
Workshops using practical and simple examples, to demonstrate inter-active
“what-if” situations, can be held to convince decision makers how their decision
capability can be improved. Using user relevant problems during these workshops
and getting the results on screen displays immediately will illustrate the power and/
or difficulties of modelling.
3. Use some real cases
A few user relevant case studies can be explained in simple terms to highlight
how models can help in decision making. These presentations should use real
examples, without being specific, so that the audience can understand how the
models can help to determine the impact of a new road, or a new bridge or the
environmental factors surrounding a large dam construction.
4. Display the results from the model visually
When model results can be shown visually, sometimes directly through the
“what-if” situations, the users will be quite convinced about how the models can
help them better in taking decisions.
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13 Modelling in Infrastructure Planning
and Modellers
Very often, model making will seem mysterious to users. It is judicious that
modellers take some steps to dispel the misconceptions. Methods to educate decision
makers about modelling, their construction and capabilities include the following:
(1) Concise problem definition from the decision maker’s perspective
(2) Practical workshops
(3) Use some real cases
(4) Display the results from the model visually
1. Concise problem definition from the decision maker’s perspective.
Decision or policy makers as well as departmental heads require only certain
information to work effectively. Not enough information may lead to bad decisions,
but more information than necessary may divert attention from the required decisions. Therefore, the modeller should provide only what is required for the decision
to be taken.
During the model construction process, should the decision makers’ perception of
the problem change, the modeller must consider these changes in order to finish with
a usable model for the intended customers. Regular meetings, indicating the progress
of works and on screen results will be helpful.
2. Practical workshops
Workshops using practical and simple examples, to demonstrate inter-active
“what-if” situations, can be held to convince decision makers how their decision
capability can be improved. Using user relevant problems during these workshops
and getting the results on screen displays immediately will illustrate the power and/
or difficulties of modelling.
3. Use some real cases
A few user relevant case studies can be explained in simple terms to highlight
how models can help in decision making. These presentations should use real
examples, without being specific, so that the audience can understand how the
models can help to determine the impact of a new road, or a new bridge or the
environmental factors surrounding a large dam construction.
4. Display the results from the model visually
When model results can be shown visually, sometimes directly through the
“what-if” situations, the users will be quite convinced about how the models can
help them better in taking decisions.
356
13 Modelling in Infrastructure Planning