The first step in the development of an institutionalized model is to
invite representatives for all possible groups and stakeholders that have
an interest in the focal problem to a brainstorming workshop focused
on model development. This could include green organizations, social
organizations, policymakers, managers, ecologists, engineers, econo-
mists, sociologists, and so on. It is crucial that all groups with a well-
founded interest in the problem or in the (eco)system are represented.
All scientific disciplines associated with the problem and all knowledge
bases must also have a voice.
The first stage of the workshop is to introduce the objectives; namely
to develop a model that can be used as a common reference for all the
participating groups, and to understand and hopefully, on a long-term
basis, to solve a well-defined problem of common interest. The advan-
tages and disadvantages of modelling, particularly mediated modelling,
are presented at this stage, together with the basic ideas behind the sys-
tem. The various teams participating in the brainstorming must
introduce themselves and clearly present their interest in solving the
problem, as well as give an overview of their knowledge about the
problem.
An IMM is coordinated by the following individuals: