Cooperative Modeling Lessons for Environmental Management
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kristan Cockerill Ph.D., Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: Environmental practitioners may find cooperative modeling
an effective tool to address complex environmental
management needs. The method involves convening a
multidisciplinary team to collaboratively construct a system
dynamics model. Advances in computational tools
have made this technique increasingly effective because
the process and the product allow individuals to better
understand the complexity inherent in the system being
studied. The authors describe four cooperative modeling
projects and document some of the “lessons learned”
from these experiences. Two of these projects were largely
academic and team members were all professionals who
agreed to work together to build a model. The other two
teams were convened to contribute to water management
processes. One of these emanated from a regional planning
exercise and the team included professionals and
volunteers from the public. The final project team presented
includes professionals, members of the public, and
government agency personnel. Like any multidisciplinary
effort, the teams encountered communication challenges.
The overarching lessons derived from these efforts are
that teams can never pay too much attention to group
dynamics and that the proximity to a “real” management
decision does influence the cooperative modeling process.
Recommendations to others embarking on a cooperative
modeling effort include reviewing the literature regarding
previous projects; establishing clear guidelines for team
interaction early in the project; and remaining flexible, to
allow the project to evolve.
Cooperative Modeling Lessons for Environmental Management
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Cockerill, K., V. Tidwell, H. Passell, L. Malczynski.( 2007). Cooperative Modeling Lessons for Environmental Management. Environmental Practice 9(1):28-41. (Mar 2007) Published by Cambridge University Press (ISSN: 1466-0474). DOI:10.1017/S1466046607070032 Publisher’s version available from Cambridge Journals Online at: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=ENP
- Language: English
- Date: 2007