Short answer

Designers should consider the long-term lifecycle and interconnectedness of their models, aiming to create 'ecologies' of models that can be shared, adapted, and integrated across different projects and contexts.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Journal of Industrial Ecology (2015)
Method: Conceptual framework development and case study analysis.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Developing 'multimodel ecologies' where design models interact and evolve allows for greater reuse and integration, extending their utility beyond initial problem-solving. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Journal of Industrial Ecology. Using Conceptual framework development and case study analysis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should consider the long-term lifecycle and interconnectedness of their models, aiming to create 'ecologies' of models that can be shared, adapted, and integrated across different projects and contexts.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Cultivating Reusable Model Ecosystems for Sustained Design Impact

Developing 'multimodel ecologies' where design models interact and evolve allows for greater reuse and integration, extending their utility beyond initial problem-solving.

Journal of Industrial Ecology · 2015

Key Findings

01Many industrial ecology models are single-use, limiting their long-term value.
02Integrated modeling and multisimulation show progress but often overlook model evolution and sociotechnical embeddedness.
03A multimodel ecology perspective enables model integration, reuse, and highlights model interaction and evolution.
04Guidelines like using open standards, building simple components, leveraging the web, borrowing, and enforcing sharing facilitate model reuse.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When developing design tools or simulation models, consider how they can be made modular, compatible with other tools, and easily shared or updated by a community of users.

Project actions

01When documenting your design process, consider how your models or simulations could be reused or adapted by others.
02Think about the 'ecosystem' of tools and information you are creating, not just the final product.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can design models be structured and managed to facilitate their ongoing reuse and integration within dynamic sociotechnical environments?

MethodConceptual framework development and case study analysis.

ProcedureThe research defines a 'multimodel ecology' as an interacting group of models that coevolve within a dynamic sociotechnical environment. It then analyzes the Energy Modeling Laboratory as an example of such an ecology and proposes guidelines for facilitating model reuse and integration.

ContextIndustrial ecology and complex system modeling.

Variables

IVModel design approach (single-use vs. multimodel ecology).

DVModel reusability, integration potential, sustained usefulness.

CVSociotechnical environment, specific problem context.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a novel perspective on model management in complex fields.
+Offers practical guidelines for improving model utility.

Limitations

It can be difficult to fully implement a 'multimodel ecology' within the scope of a single design project.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the 'multimodel ecology' concept is supported by the case study analysis. Reliability would depend on consistent application of the proposed guidelines.

Think critically

To what extent can the principles of 'multimodel ecologies' be applied to the development of physical prototypes and tangible design artifacts, rather than solely computational models?

Design Principles

"Design for model evolution and interoperability to maximize sustained utility and impact."

This approach combats the waste of resources and effort associated with single-use models. By fostering an environment where models can co-evolve and be integrated, design practices can achieve more sustained impact and efficiency.

What This Means for Your Design

Instead of making one-off design tools, think about how different design tools can work together and be updated over time, like a living system, so they stay useful for longer.

How to use in your project

1.Discuss how your chosen design tools or modeling approaches could be part of a larger, evolving system.
2.Justify decisions based on principles of model reusability and integration.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The concept of 'multimodel ecologies' suggests that design models should be viewed not as isolated, single-use artifacts, but as components within a dynamic system. By designing for interoperability and evolution, models can be reused and integrated across various stages and contexts of the design process, thereby maximizing their impact and efficiency, and reducing resource waste.

Source

Journal of Industrial Ecology

Multimodel Ecologies: Cultivating Model Ecosystems in Industrial Ecology

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about cultivating reusable model ecosystems for sustained design impact?: Designers should consider the long-term lifecycle and interconnectedness of their models, aiming to create 'ecologies' of models that can be shared, adapted, and integrated across different projects and contexts. Evidence: Journal of Industrial Ecology (2015).
Why does "Cultivating Reusable Model Ecosystems for Sustained Design Impact" matter for design?: This approach combats the waste of resources and effort associated with single-use models. By fostering an environment where models can co-evolve and be integrated, design practices can achieve more sustained impact and efficiency.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should consider the long-term lifecycle and interconnectedness of their models, aiming to create 'ecologies' of models that can be shared, adapted, and integrated across different projects and contexts.
What were the main findings?: Many industrial ecology models are single-use, limiting their long-term value.. Integrated modeling and multisimulation show progress but often overlook model evolution and sociotechnical embeddedness.. A multimodel ecology perspective enables model integration, reuse, and highlights model interaction and evolution.. Guidelines like using open standards, building simple components, leveraging the web, borrowing, and enforcing sharing facilitate model reuse.
What research method was used?: Conceptual framework development and case study analysis..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Journal of Industrial Ecology.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing design tools or simulation models, consider how they can be made modular, compatible with other tools, and easily shared or updated by a community of users.
What are the limitations?: The research focuses on industrial ecology, and direct application to other design domains may require adaptation. The 'evolutionary' aspect of models is complex and may be challenging to implement in practice.