.
    Conceptual
      Model
      Building
      .
    A conceptual model or paradigm refers to a specific way of think about something. It usually involves identifying some particular factors or variables, defines the relationship among them (i.e., "if such and such happens to X, then this affects Y in this way..."). While it is tempting to construct simple cause-effect relationships, human systems are usually much more complex than this. Most events have multiple factors influencing them, and the feedback loops of information can create high levels of complexity, ambiguity, and even chaos. Since real world systems are often unmanageable, mental models are an attempt to extract the most important components of them and build a simple representation.

    The purpose of model building is to more clearly communicate to an audience/reader what the key components and relationships are of an event or process. It also enables generating more questions and testing of hypotheses (i.e., "If X, then Y").

    There are at least three different kinds of models that can be built:

      Verbal Models. For example, Fiedler's Contingency Theory of Leadership might be expressed in this way: "The effectiveness of a leaders expression of a task or relationship oriented style is dependent on the unique combination of task structure, position power, and leader-member relations present in a situation." This model identifies the variables of outcome (effectiveness), leadership style (task or relationship), and contingency (task structure, position power, leader-member relation). It proposes that under certain combinations, a specific style is preferred in order to generate a more effective outcome.

      Mathematical Models. Mathematical models are often refinements of verbal models in which the variables can be quantified. For example, if leadership performance (LP) is the desired outcome it might be accurately predicted by a combination of factors identified by multiple regression. If it was predicted by intelligence (IQ) scores that had a (beta) weight of .47, a problem solving (PS) weight of .67, a past experience (EX) weight of .58, and a biographical relevance (BR) rating of .46, the following regression model could be proposed:

        LP=IQ(.47)+PS(.67)+EX(.58)+BR(.46)
      Visual Models. Visual models can be used to incorporate important dimensions that are difficult to verbally describe or are too qualitative to be rendered quantitatively. They are also often symbolic (i.e., the shapes often communicate as much as what dimensions represent) and can be taken in at a glance. For example, Peter Senge's model of the five disciplines of leadership (i.e., team kearning, shared vision, mental models, personal mastery, systems thinking) are combined in a pyramidal form in which they are refined and integrated as one developmentally approaches the top of the pyramid.
       
    To build a model...
       
      1. Consider the overall process that you want to model; the big picture.
      2. Identify the feasible portion on which you want to focus your model
      3. Identify the key components or variables
      4. State the relationships these components have with each other
      5. State (words, formula, graphic) the above in a way that most clearly and accurately represents the idea.
      When working with visual models consider the following:
      1. More than three dimensions (e.g., hypercube) is more than most people can follow; keep it to two or three, or perhaps sequence a string of models
      2. Use the natural implications of a shape: a pyramid at the top may show integration, a decision tree increases its branching differentiation, a spiral reflects cycles and recursion, etc.
      3. Use shading, coloring, patterning, proximity, and arrows to show relationships and qualities.
    Other Links
      Concept and Mind Mapping  Collection of links to mapping resources.