SPE Workbench Guidance

The SPE Workbench should keep the model builder close to the method. Each tab maps to a documentation section and a specific analytical task.

Recommended beginner flow

Use the Workbench to move through seven tasks:

1. Define objective: complete the model title, description, and tags; identify the problem and how Outcomes will be measured.
2. Strategies and scenarios: define the alternatives to evaluate.
3. Identify Drivers: recognize variables directly affected by strategies.
4. Processes and propagation: connect Drivers, Processes, and Outcomes.
5. Cross-impact matrix: represent direct relationships between variables.
6. Simulate scenarios: run the model under different assumptions.
7. Evaluate results: compare Outcomes and support the decision.

For a first model, the recommended starter structure is Level 0 External Agents when needed, Level 1 Drivers, Level 2 Processes, and Level 3 Outcomes. This is a learning scaffold, not a constraint on advanced SPE modeling.

Overview

Use Overview to orient the user to the decision arena and the model identity. Start with SPE Methodology.

Structure

Use Structure to create Drivers, Processes, Outcomes, and, when needed, External Agents. Use Concepts and definitions and Structure and cross-impact.

Cross-Impact

Use Cross-Impact to review the relationship matrix and verify the direction and strength of causal influence. Use Structure and cross-impact.

Strategies

Use Strategies to create strategy alternatives and their scenarios. Scenario impacts should be applied to Drivers. Use Strategies and scenarios.

Simulation

Use Simulation to run model-level Monte Carlo outputs and inspect state distributions. Use Simulation and comparison.

Sensitivity

Use Sensitivity to test which Drivers or Processes move Outcomes the most. Use Sensitivity and configuration.

Strategy Results

Use Strategy Results to compare scenario outcomes. This is the strongest communication area for SPE because it tells the story of one scenario over another in outcome metrics. Use Simulation and comparison.

Configuration

Use Configuration to inspect initial condition sets, pattern sets, and base modifiers. Use Sensitivity and configuration.

PLACEHOLDER: future workbench help

Future help should add field-level tooltips for variable role, initial probability, pattern choice, scenario direct impact, and combined-scenario evaluation.