Presentation given at bbc2020 Is modeling our business operations and strategies still relevant in a world where work transformation and digital transformation needs to happen “now”? Transformation is at the forefront of every executive from every industry, and time is of essence to ensure the survival or re-invention of their organizations. Join us to discuss the relevancy of business modeling and the pros and cons of different modeling techniques. Is modeling still relevant in such a fast track? If so why, where and how?

1. Pros and cons
of different modeling
techniques
A bbc2020 Practitioner's Chat

2. Abstract
• Is modeling our business operations and strategies still relevant in a world
where work transformation and digital transformation needs to happen
“now”? Transformation is at the forefront of every executive from every
industry, and time is of essence to ensure the survival or re-invention of
their organizations.
• Join us to discuss the relevancy of business modeling and the pros and
cons of different modeling techniques. Is modeling still relevant in such a
fast track? If so why, where and how?

3. Agenda
• Short intro presentation
• Question led discussion

4. But what are models?
• Broadly speaking we use the term “model” to refer to any structured
knowledge that accurately reflects – and helps us to make sense of – the
world.
• Models exist both internally as “mental models” and externally as
“cognitive artifacts”.
• Cognitive artifacts can take many forms: written texts, spoken stories,
graphs, diagrams, pictures, videos, spreadsheets, equations, computer-
simulations, etc.
• While these different kinds of models vary greatly in their form and
function, they all share certain desirable properties.

5. Models
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Predictions
ConfirmationMeasurements Modeling

6. Modeling Fundamentals
Abstraction
• The suppression of irrelevant details
(De)composition
• Model composites and their components
Separation of Concerns (SoC)
• Identify, encapsulate, and manipulate as independently as
possible those parts of the model that are relevant to a particular
concern.
Separation of Duty (Control) (SoD)
• The attribution of authority over process and activities and their
evolution
Point of View and Projection
• Different depictions (diagrams) of the model or involving the
model to provide a more complete picture

7. Informative
Imparting knowledge,
Instructing,
Interpreting,
Enlightening
Descriptive
Serving to describe or
characterize by
description, Supports
interpretation
Prescriptive
Giving instructions,
Being directive
(Flexible guidance vs
Strict enforcement)
Visualizing
Call for actions,
Interaction &
commitment,
Customized view
Structuring /
Analyzing
Structuring the
process, Allocating
resources, Estimating,
Improving,
Optimizing
Enacting /
Automating
Monitoring
commitment,
Assessing progress,
Controlling
compliance
Diagramming Modeling
Unique
Behavior
Uniform
Interpretation
Model with a Purpose
If your goal is:
Aim to be:

8. Modeling for Deciding and Acting
Gartner

9. “Essentially,
all models are wrong,
but some are useful.”
George E. P. Box

10. Modeling Recommendations
• Model with a Purpose
• The Right Model for the Right Goal
• The Right Answer to the Right Question
• Make use of Standards
• Ensures universality
• Ensures portability
• Ensure perennity

11. Now let’s discuss!

12. Are models?(Pick one)
• a Mean to an End
• an Asset to be Managed

13. How often do you model?(Pick one)
• Every day
• Once a week
• Once a month
• Once a quarter
• Once a year

14. What do you do use modeling for?(Pick any)
• Business Architecture/Management
• Process Architecture/Management
• Decision Architecture/Management
• System Architecture/Management
• Technology Architecture/Management

15. When modeling, a diagram is enough?(Pick one)
• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Undecided
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

16. What value do you get from modeling?(Pick any)
• Reach faster agreement on the “as is” and “to be” state of affairs
through unambiguous models
• Encourage stakeholder participation through graphically
expressive notations
• Facilitate the analysis and improvement of operations
• Create a library of models to onboard new employees, partners,
or clients

17. What is the purpose of your modeling effort(s)?(Pick any)
• Specifying requirements
• Documenting the way things are done
• Visualizing complex situations
• Analysing a situation
• Predicting outcomes
• Automating operations

18. Modeling notations are too complex?(Pick one)
• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Undecided
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

19. Which modeling notation do you use?(Pick any)
• Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN)
• Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN)
• Decision Model and Notation (DMN)
• Archimate
• UML
• SysML
• Others

20. Modeling tools are too complex?(Pick one)
• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Undecided
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

21. dgagne@tirostech.com
Thanks!

22. Bonus Slides
Model Desired Properties

23. Model Desired Property: Salience
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Salient : Since no model can represent everything, it must
selectively represent those things most relevant to the task at
hand.

24. Model Desired Property: Accuracy
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
= =
Accurate : The model should precisely encode the actual state
of affairs and not an erroneous or biased view.

25. Model Desired Property: Completeness
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Complete yet Parsimonious : The model should be as simple as
possible, but no simpler.
It should concisely capture all the relevant dimensions of the
problem without squeezing out the opportunity for insight

26. Model Desired Property: Simplicity
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Simple Understandable : Once we perceive the model we
must be able to make sense of it; it shouldn't be too
complicated or unfamiliar for us to understand.

27. Model Desired Property: Coherence
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Coherent : Models do not exist in isolation but in interlocking
systems, thus any particular model should be coherent with
other related models.

28. Model Desired Property: Flexibility
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Flexible : they should be open to recursive revision to reflect
new data, our growing understanding, or our evolving needs.

29. Model Ultimate Property: Usefulness
The
World
?
Mental
Model
The
Model
The
Future
Purpose &
Context
Useful
Useful : Usefulness is the sum of the above properties and the
degree to which they combine to promote understanding and
effective action. It is important to note that the most accurate,
or the most complete, or the most elegant model is not
necessarily the most useful. All models are incomplete. All
models a compromise. The model maker's art lies in making
those shrewd trade-offs that will render the model most useful
to the problem at hand.