Conceptual modeling and validation of a HA/DR scenario using a Weighted System Decomposition model

Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief (HA/DR) missions are a continuing concern for world governments and NGOs. The vastness and complexity of the HA/DR missions emphasizes the need for quality conceptual model (CM) development (CMD). Two challenges of CMD are correctly determining the fidelity to model the system and validating the CM. CMD relies heavily on qualitative assessments from subject matter experts. Likewise, its validation is qualitative; often performed through reviews. This approach works well for simpler or familiar systems; however for complex or unfamiliar systems a more quantitative approach to CMD and validation is required. Weighted System Decompositions (WSD) are proposed as a method for addressing these challenges. Quantitative impact relationships from the WSD are used to inform the fidelity decisions during CMD. CM validity is assessed by comparing WSD relationships to the objective simulation outputs. The proposed approach is demonstrated though an application to a HA/DR scenario.