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to limit themselves to these two categories of tools, they predominately rest in the
trend of participatory agent-based simulations and are thus close to the software
design and artificial intelligence trends presented above. This approach makes a
full use of similarities in architecture between role-playing games and agent-based
simulations (Barreteau 2003). Both implement autonomous agents that interact
within a shared dynamic environment. Joint use of both agent-based simulation and
role-playing games builds upon these similarities to express the same conceptual
model. Authors in this approach use this to reinforce a principle of making all
the assumptions underlying a model used or design interactively with stakeholders
explicit and understood. At the design stage, this approach aims to incorporate
stakeholders’ viewpoints in the model. At the model use stage, it aims to improve
the appropriation of the tool produced as well as to increase its legitimacy for further
operational use. However, this appropriation is still under discussion and might be
rather heterogeneous (Barreteau et al. 2005).

12.4 Participation in the Modelling Process: Diversity
of Phases and Intensity

While many authors claim to use participatory approaches for the simulation
of social complexity, there remains a large diversity of actual involvement of
stakeholders and of activities hidden behind this involvement. Associations of
participatory methods with social simulation models are rather heterogeneous. It is
thus important to qualify the actual involvement of stakeholders in these processes.
This level of participation can range from mere information received by concerned
parties related to the output of a process to the full involvement of a wide range of
stakeholders at all stages of a process. There are also many intermediary situations
imaginable. Participation should not be thought of as just talking, and diversity
should be made explicit so that criticisms towards participation as a global category
(Irvin and Stansbury 2004) can focus on specific implementations. This section
explores the potential consequences of this diversity in three dimensions: stage
in the modelling process, degree of involvement and heterogeneity of stakeholders
involved.

12.4.1 Stages in the Modelling Process

The modelling process can be subdivided into the following stages, with the
possibility of iterating along them:
– Preliminary synthesis/diagnosis (through previously available data). This
includes making explicit the goal of the modelling process.
– Data collection (specific to the modelling purpose).