Outline of modeling process

1
Outline of modeling process

• Carefully read the problem to get a general idea
• Analyze each paragraph to extract all relevant
  data and information
• Identify given data and define corresponding
  sets, parameters.
• Identify the goal of the problem and define a
  corresponding objective function (in this stage
  might be in English will get a linear function
  after defining all necessary data and variables).
• The goal can be achieved by making certain
  decisions. Define decision variables when those
  are obviously implied by the problem statement.
  More variables might be defined later.
• Identify the constraints of the system and state
  them in English (will express in linear functions
  after defining all relevant data and variables).

2
Outline of modeling process

• 3. Put everything together to get a coherent
  model. In this stage, all the constraints and the
  objective function are translated into linear
  functions. Might need to define new data and
  variables to accomplish it.
• 4. Solve by an IP software (AMPL in our case).
  The software output might prompt what are the
  deficiencies of the model and how those can be
  fixed.