5. Conceptual Modeling

This chapter elaborates on the notion of conceptual modeling. First, we answer in detail what a conceptual model (CM) is and then present the two forms of a conceptual model from the representation point of view. Afterwards, two approaches for the formalization of a conceptual model are presented. The first approach is based on using ontologies and the second is based on metamodeling. Both approaches are presented with a case study. All simulations simulate a system in the context of an abstract world or CM, documented or not. Conceptual models, simulation conceptual models, in particular, are widely used in modeling and simulation (M&S) and are becoming one of the main building blocks of the distributed simulation development. The creation of a CM is one of the main steps in simulation development and facilitates the transition between simulation requirements and the simulation high-level design by helping simulation engineers understand the requirements clearly. CMs are also used as a means of communication between simulation stakeholders, including users, developers, and sponsors. From a user’s perspective, the CM is the most important document about the simulation capabilities because it includes assumptions, limitations, algorithms, objects, and relations among these objects related to the real world. From a developer’s perspective, the conceptual model prepares the basis for simulation development. From the verification and validation (V&V) agent’s perspective, it is a vital element in simulation V&V.