modelspecifikation

A modelspecifikation, or model specification, is a document that defines the intended model and guides its development, validation, and use. It serves as a contract between stakeholders and modelers by describing the model’s purpose, scope, assumptions, constraints, inputs, outputs, and acceptance criteria. The specification clarifies why the model exists and what questions it is expected to answer.

Typical content of a modelspecifikation includes the model context and boundaries, the entities or components to be represented, the variables and parameters, relationships and rules, and the dynamics or behavior to be captured. It specifies data requirements, input and output formats, interfaces with other models or systems, and any constraints on computation, resources, or timeliness. Non-functional requirements such as accuracy, validation tolerance, traceability, documentation, and reproducibility are often stated, along with approaches to handling uncertainty, sensitivity, and scenario analysis. The document also outlines validation and verification criteria, testing protocols, and version control procedures to ensure traceability from the specification to implementation.

In practice, a modelspecifikation supports governance throughout the modeling lifecycle. It facilitates communication among engineers, analysts, and domain experts, and it helps ensure that the model aligns with decision-making needs. Model specifications are commonly used in engineering, systems modeling, software development, data science, and simulation, and may reference standards, modeling languages (such as UML or SysML), or domain-specific schemas to improve interoperability and reuse.