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Design Step Examples

System Definition

Define the Coastal Zone Virtual System

Describe the cause-&-effect chain from HA to Impact.
Draw a map of the real system showing the main features to be included in the Virtual System (relevant to the Issue), including boundaries.
Identify relevant vertical structure.
List the main relevant ecosystem components.
Specify the relevant physical (natural) boundary conditions.
Identify the relevant social components for inclusion and draw an Institutional Map of governance.
List the relevant economic aspects for inclusion.
Available examples illustrate different combinations of some of these action points | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3

Identify the external hazards

Anticipate potential risks | Example

Synthesize the state of the impacted system

Prepare an illustrated narrative the defines the Virtual System, and describes its present state, in relation to the Issue.
Discuss the narrative with other scientists and Reference Group
No example available, but see examples of 'Designed System Report', in Problem Scaling, below.

Conceptual Models

Construct Conceptual Models

Choose a method for representing the Virtual System.
Construct conceptual models of the CZ system's response to the Policy Issue(s) that will allow visualization of its primary ecological, social and economic characteristics.
The choice of a method for representing Virtual Systems is demonstrated in the examples. | Example | Example 2 | Example 3 | Example 4 | Example 5 | Example 6 | Example 7.
Discuss the conceptual model(s) with the Reference Group.

Specify model outputs

Identify the model variables that might be used for model testing.
Specify the system outputs for both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
Results can be included in the conceptual model diagrams.

Methods & Information required: Thinking about modelling tools and data needs

Identify software, methods and formats

Decide on strategy for simulation modelling.
Identify the modelling software to be used | Example | Example 2.
Specify any auxiliary models needed to link with the systems model | Example.
Identify other analytical tools that might be needed.
Indicate the format for storing the CZ relevant data.

Economic dimensions

Analyse the economic dimensions of the Coastal Zone system and identify suitable economic assessment methodologies.|

Begin to acquire data

List relevant ecological data (for initial conditions, forcing or boundary conditions, and testing) that will be needed for simulations and tests, identify data sources, and set in motion actions to acquire these data.
Identify existing economic data relating to the relevant HAs and set in motion actions to acquire these data.
Identify existing demographic and social attitude data relating to these HAs and set in motion actions to get them.
Where possible, identify model parameter values that will be needed, identify sources, and set in motion actions to acquire these data.
Decide what to do in the absence of existing data.
Examples combine some of the above action points: | Example | Example 2.

Problem Scaling

Adjust the complexity of the virtual system.

Adjust the complexity of the virtual system to get the best balance of simplicity and accuracy for scientific purposes.
Adjust the complexity of the virtual system for management purposes to ensure feasability of implementation of the model.
'Problem Scaling' is a dynamic process and hence dificult to demonstrate with the aid of finalized examples. Some notes made during an application are, however, available. | Example.

Begin to specify formats for results

Begin to identify journal(s) and format(s) for reporting results to scientific peers.
Begin to specify formats for use in the 'System Output' step.

'Designed System report'

Compile a 'Designed System' report to include the key results from the 'Issue Identification' and 'System Design' steps.
These two examples (in the form of pdfs) come from an early stage in the applications and include the results of the 'Issue Identification' step and a critique of the draft guidance provided for these 2 steps (as they are now) during the Spicosa project. | Example | Example 2.

Most recent update: 20 March 2011.