A. Simulation model
The simulation model represents aspects of the world to be simulated (REQ3) and it is defined externally in a XML file. The applicability of a simulation model depends on the model builder’s ability to capture these aspects [14]. In essence, the Software Engineering processes are difficult to model, mainly because of their intrinsic characteristics, mostly involving human behavior, such as, non-linear relation of cause and effect, feedback cycles, dynamic behavior and socio-cultural issues that can affect them.
In the XML file, instructors can tailor a simulation model according to their course (REQ6). This model allows the representation of an active role to players (REQ1), reaction to events (REQ2), feedback (REQ4) and different participants to actions (REQ 5). We used some modeling constructs similar to those defined by SimSE [13]. These elements are shown below followed by a corresponding XML excerpt.