In this important step, an abstract mathematical model
is built for the problem. The modeler can be inspired by similar models in the
literature. This will reduce the problem to well-studied optimization models.
Usually, models we are solving are simplifications of the reality. They involve
approximations and sometimes they skip processes that are complex to represent
in a mathematical model. An interesting question may occur: why solve exactly
real-life optimization problems that are fuzzy by nature?