At its core, collaborative modelling emphasizes the importance of involving stakeholders in a modelling process. By doing so, stakeholders become exposed to the same information and problems encountered by modellers when creating a valid representation of a given system. It can thereby enhance their awareness and understanding about the functioning of water resources systems and the consequences of human actions.
In its support for decision making, it is useful to conceive of collaborative modelling as a (sub-) process situated within a broader formal planning process because on the contrary they can have a difficult time being institutionalized. Naturally, formal planning processes may need to be adjusted to ensure a transparent and representative process. A planning process commences with problem identification, moves into the formulation and assessment of recommended measures, and ends with implementation. Traditionally, stakeholders have been involved in each of these activities; however experts have typically carried out any supporting modelling work independently. In collaborative modelling, stakeholders are assigned an increased role during the actual modelling process. They can participate during all activities to develop the analytical model: for example, data collection, model definition, model construction, model validation and verification. They can also take part in the actual application of the model in assessing the impacts of the various measures and strategies.
Involving stakeholders in the various stages of a modelling process thereby provides increased opportunities to incorporate local knowledge and expertise into the analytical model. Frequently, such knowledge can be a valuable source of information about the local situation and context, can help identify and anticipate of areas of concern and contention, and can help define acceptable planning objectives and policy interventions. Local expertise can also be used to improve and/or create innovative and alternative strategies, and is a critical source of information about the limitations of actions and their possible impacts. Collaborative modelling can introduce alternatives that would not be otherwise explored or considered, and also give voice to stakeholders that can be marginalised in more conventional planning processes (e.g. environment sector). By accounting for such information throughout the modelling process, acceptance for the proposed strategies can increase and the sustainability of the adopted strategy enhanced. In addition, the exchanges that occur between stakeholders during the process can create opportunities for social learning. Stakeholders are not only able to learn about the problem and its alternative solutions, but also about the perspectives and concerns of the other stakeholders involved.
“To create legacy and contribute to long term sustainability, it is important that stakeholders are involved in the process to develop the meta-model...When people are familiar with the tools and techniques and know how to use them, they feel more ownership over the meta-model themselves.”
Md. Taibur Rahman, PhD
Assistant Project Director at Delta Plan 2100 Project
Senior Assistant Chief, General Economic Division
Bangladesh Planning Commission
