Abstract: A process for analyzing a sub-model associated with a full system model as often depicted as an influence diagram. The process includes defining the sub-model as a collection of entities where some entities are calculation entities and some are data entities. The process converts the calculation entities in the sub-model that depend on entities in the fall model outside of the sub-model to temporary data entities. Further, the process deletes any data entity in the sub-model from which any converted temporary data entity depends. The process also determines if there are any isolated cycles in the sub-model, and, if so, which of the entities in the isolated cycle will be an output entity.

Abstract: A method for providing a functional visualization of a spreadsheet. The method includes correlating spreadsheet cells with both data entities and calculation entities in an influence diagram, and then automatically updating the entities in the influence diagram in response to changes made to the spreadsheet, or automatically updating the spreadsheet in response to changes made to the entities in the influence diagram. The method includes identifying one or more cells in a spreadsheet as a data cell or a calculation cell, and then identifying corresponding data entities and calculation entities in the influence diagram. The entities in the influence diagram can have predetermined attributes (color, shape, images, etc.) depending on their function.

Abstract: A data analysis tool that provides a technique for visualizing changes of a system model. The analysis tool includes constructing an influence diagram consisting of a series of calculation entities and data entities interconnected by arrows, where the entities correspond to parameters of a system model being analyzed. Input values are assigned to each of the data entities for a particular scenario, and the corresponding values are computed for the calculation entities. A new scenario is implemented by changing one or more of the input values to the data entities, thus providing different results for some or all of the calculation entities. A mathematical function is applied to each entity to modify its appearance based on the values of the entities for current or other scenarios. Changes to each entity from the input of the new scenario can be in a variety of forms, such as size of the entity, color of the entity, shading of the entity, etc.

Abstract: A process for analyzing a sub-model associated with a full system model as often depicted as an influence diagram. The process includes defining the sub-model as a collection of entities where some entities are calculation entities and some are data entities. The process converts the calculation entities in the sub-model that depend on entities in the fall model outside of the sub-model to temporary data entities. Further, the process deletes any data entity in the sub-model from which any converted temporary data entity depends. The process also determines if there are any isolated cycles in the sub-model, and, if so, which of the entities in the isolated cycle will be an output entity.

Abstract: A method for providing a functional visualization of a spreadsheet. The method includes correlating spreadsheet cells with both data entities and calculation entities in an influence diagram, and then automatically updating the entities in the influence diagram in response to changes made to the spreadsheet, or automatically updating the spreadsheet in response to changes made to the entities in the influence diagram. The method includes identifying one or more cells in a spreadsheet as a data cell or a calculation cell, and then identifying corresponding data entities and calculation entities in the influence diagram. The entities in the influence diagram can have predetermined attributes (color, shape, images, etc.) depending on their function.

Abstract: A data analysis tool that provides a technique for visualizing changes of a system model. The analysis tool includes constructing an influence diagram consisting of a series of calculation entities and data entities interconnected by arrows, where the entities correspond to parameters of a system model being analyzed. Input values are assigned to each of the data entities for a particular scenario, and the corresponding values are computed for the calculation entities. A new scenario is implemented by changing one or more of the input values to the data entities, thus providing different results for some or all of the calculation entities. A mathematical function is applied to each entity to modify its appearance based on the values of the entities for current or other scenarios. Changes to each entity from the input of the new scenario can be in a variety of forms, such as size of the entity, color of the entity, shading of the entity, etc.