Model reuse versus model development: Effects on credibility and learning

The construction of generic models and their validity when reused has received much attention in the DES literature. This is with good reason as rapid deployment of a generic model can reduce time, effort and cost of a study. On the other hand the utility of model reuse as an aid to decision making has had little exploration. This is an area that should be considered as the literature on learning from just simulation model use provides contradictory evidence on its effectiveness. This paper proposes that development of models with some client involvement has alternative benefits to reusing a model: improved learning and understanding for clients. To explore this proposition an experimental design to compare how model reuse and model development affect learning in DES studies is presented. Some preliminary thoughts, based on pilot experiments, on the client process of credibility assessment and understanding of resource utilisation are discussed.