Analysis Tools

The Analysis tools are used to show information about the Workbench Variable, either its place or value in the model, or its behavior from simulation datasets. Analysis tools are grouped into toolsets. In Vensim PLE and PLE Plus you can only use the built in toolset. In the other configurations the Analysis toolsets can be modified The built in toolset (also named default1.vts) and the more complete toolset default2.vts contain many of the Analysis tools needed for investigating models.

Except in Vensim PLE and PLE Plus the Analysis tools can be configured to show different things about the Workbench Variable. To configure a tool, click on the tool with the right mouse button and change its options. Tools can also be added to a toolset. As with Sketch toolsets, if you make changes you will be prompted to save the toolset when exiting Vensim. Several different Analysis toolsets are supplied with Vensim, and can be opened from the menu Tools>Analysis Toolset>Open.

The following toolsets are built in.

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A description of the function of the tools follows below. The tools shown below are from the toolset default2.vts which contains more tools than the built in toolset. In Vensim PLE and PLE Plus only the built in tools shown above are available. The Statistics tool and Text Editor tool are not available in Vensim Standard and the Venapp Editor tool is only available in Vensim DSS.

Note that you can use Ctrl+1 to activate the first too, Ctrl+2 the second and so on. This will work for the first 10 tools (Ctrl+0 is the tenth).

Structural Analysis Tools

$image\ebx_-428.gif$ Causes Tree — creates a tree-type graphical representation showing the causes of the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_4687.gif$ Uses Tree — create a tree-type graphical representation showing the uses of the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_-948.gif$ Loops — displays a list of all feedback loops passing through the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_-983.gif$ Document — reviews equations, definitions, units of measure, and selected values for the Workbench Variable.

Dataset Analysis Tools

$image\ebx_-163.gif$ Causes Strip Graph — displays simple graphs in a strip, allowing you to trace causality by showing the direct causes (as shown) of the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_8558.gif$ Graph — displays behavior in a larger graph than the Strip Graph, and contains different options for output than the Strip Graph.

$image\ebx_-179.gif$ Sensitivity Graph — creates a sensitivity graph of one variable and its range of uncertainty generated from sensitivity testing.

$image\ebx_-226.gif$ Bar Graph — creates a bar graph of a variable at a specific time, or displays a histogram of variables over all times or across sensitivity simulations at a time.

$image\ebx_-527.gif$ Table — generates a table of values for the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_6683.gif$ Table Running Down — table with time running down.

$image\ebx_2493.gif$ Runs Compare — compares all Lookups and Constants in the first loaded dataset to those in the second loaded dataset.

$image\ebx_1383.gif$ Statistics — provides summary statistics on the Workbench Variable and its causes or uses.

Other Tools

$image\ebx_-198.gif$ Units Check — provides an alternative way to access the units checking feature.

$image\ebx_2006.gif$ Equation Editor — provides an alternative way to access the equation for the Workbench Variable.

$image\ebx_-210.gif$ Venapp Editor‡ — supports the visual editing of Venapps.

$image\ebx_1053.gif$ Text Editor — a general purpose text editor. As shown, it is configured to edit .vgd files).

The Tree Diagram, the Strip Graph, the Sensitivity Graph, the Table and the Statistics tools can all be configured to show either causes or uses of the Workbench Variable.