What use is model reuse: is there a crook at the end of the rainbow?

Abstract

The emergence of new technologies in simulation modeling such as the World Wide Web has fostered debate on the reuse of models. We present a case for model reuse and the pot of gold that it promises. We then discuss model reuse from the viewpoint of simulation modelers who use COTS simulation packages and suggest that model reuse may in fact cost more than developing new models as candidates for reuse as trust must be established through thorough testing. An alternative to this is put forward that suggests that a Grab-and-Glue, Run, Reject, Reply (G/sup 2/R/sup 3/) approach is a more appropriate use of model reuse as it emphasizes the intellectual process of problem understanding rather than model correctness as a means to itself.