Modelling Tools >> Features & Benefits
Complete & Integrated Environment
whatIf? provides a complete, integrated environment for the development and use of large scale simulation frameworks. This includes facilities for design, documentation, scenario management, data assembly and cleaning, and report generation.
Transparent Model Design
Models implemented in the whatIf? environment are not "black boxes". Transparency is achieved through its visual design environment, in which diagrams and a computable mathematical language allow users to view and understand model implementations. The model design serves as the model documentation, and vice-versa.
In the past, complex models were coded in thousands of lines of third-generation languages (e.g. C, FORTRAN) comprehensible only to a skilled programmer, or implemented in a set of linked spreadsheets and cryptic formulas. Users could only hope that their model was a true replication of the concepts laid out in the mathematical description of the model. Documentation was often prepared long after original model developers disappeared and frequently it became out-of-sync with the operational version. Under these circumstances maintaining a model was a nightmare and the original investment quickly written off. Transparency was built into the whatIf? suite to solve these issues.
Scenario Management
whatIf? provides an intuitive graphical interface for creating, comparing and documenting assumptions for alternative scenarios. A scenario represents a set of assumptions for each variable in a model. whatIf? includes powerful functionality to generate user-guided numeric assumptions (large arrays of data); also to "mix and match" assumptions from different scenarios to create new scenarios. It is through this process of rapidly creating scenarios that a model is explored, and insight gained.
Data Visualization
whatIf? provides powerful tools for both interactive visual display and creation of large arrays of data using line graphics, tables, and thematic maps. These tools are tightly integrated with the scenario management capability described above.
Collaborative Multi-user Architecture
whatIf? models, databases and scenarios reside on internet-accessible servers supporting multiple simultaneous desktop users. As much of a simulation model's value comes from a common understanding upon which different stakeholders' viewpoints can be explored and shared through various scenarios, software support for multiple users and collaboration is key.
Extensibility & Interface to other Tools
whatIf? has been developed with extensibility in mind. Its modular design makes it possible to introduce new mathematical tools and new data structures as the need arises with no impact on the existing models. Its supports a seamless interface with popular spreadsheet packages such as Microsoft Excel, geographic information systems such as ARCVIEW, and relational data bases such as Oracle.