Guiding the Development of Simulation Conceptual Models for the US Marine Corps

Abstract

Conceptual models (CMs) provide modeling and simulation (M&S) practitioners with an implementation-independent description of objects and interactions (i.e., classes of data and relationships across classes). These describe what needs to be represented in a simulation to meet user needs for an intended purpose. Simulation Conceptual Models (SCMs) also can contain information about underlying logic or algorithms to be performed in the simulations to achieve those needs. SCMs aid in the selection of appropriate applications for single and distributed simulation environments and help training designers (as well as the training audience) understand what is, and is not, represented in the simulation to help meet training objectives. Similarly, when simulations are used for analysis or experimentation, SCMs help users understand the capabilities and limitations of the simulations to help analysts best apply the tool to generate data needed for their studies. Furthermore, explicitly specified SCMs are essential for verification and validation of simulations. They can support the maintenance and modernization of simulation and are key inputs through the Distributed Simulation Engineering and Execution Process (DSEEP) standard practice, providing necessary information to help users determine what simulations to select for a distributed integration to best achieve user needs. Even with an understanding of the importance of SCMs, such documentation of simulations is woefully lacking across the DOD. Ones that do exist are documented in vastly differing forms and levels of detail. Past attempts to create a common methodology for specification of SCMs have been unsuccessful, leaving a gap in best practices for DOD. Research is needed to help reinvigorate the exploration of conceptual modeling in support of Marine Corps and DOD simulation development, V&V, and general management.