Modeling Guidelines

This section is a compilation of rough guidelines to model problems for the Multi-Agent Optimization Engine. They have been identified through experimentations and explorations with the engine as well as work with customers. Keep in mind that they may be true most of the time but false for a given problem.

At the beginning of the modeling process, the main questions to ask yourself are, in no particular order:

• What are my levers, and where do my criteria apply?
• Which types of criteria should I use?
  
  • How should I prioritize them?
• What are the dimensions of my problem?
• What are the spaces and scopes of my problem?

The answers to these questions have a great impact on the structure of the multi-agent system and its ability to efficiently solve the problem. The next sections attempt to give insights as to how to approach these questions.

Further in this section:

• Guidelines for Criteria
• Guidelines for Dimensions and Spaces
• Modeling Side Notes