Start simple and add complexity

Conceptual Modeling (Complexity)

• A model must be built at the right level of description for every phenomenon
• Payoff of bottom-up models versus their complexity. The payoff is determined by its structural realism, i.e., its ability to produce independent predictions that match observations.
• Work from simple behavior to complex behavior (making agents move randomly is simpler than moving agents over a road)
• Star with the simplest version of the model, iteratively increase the complexity to reach "Medawar Zone"

Model Components

• Complex systems consist of hierarchies.
• A complex system consists of sub-systems that we can translate into sub models.
• Sub models can be developed independent of each other.