Participatory modeling is a purposeful learning process for action that engages the implicit and explicit knowledge of stakeholders to create formalized and shared representation(s) of reality.
In this process, the participants co-formulate the problem and use modeling practices to aid in the description, solution, and decision-making actions of the group.
This can further lead to more quantitative analyses, and may sometimes result in a computer model of the system, which is then jointly used to test policy interventions, and propose one or more solutions.
Participatory modeling is often used in natural resources management,[1] such as forests[2] or water.
It also helps to develop more acceptable solutions and often creates more consensus among the stakeholders involved.