Following current modeling paradigms, most processes are captured in the form of modeling a desired intent, often using success probabilities. In addition, only special roles that entities are intended to play are modeled. For effect-based modeling, the unintended but nonetheless resulting effects are as important as the intended effects, and they are therefore modeled. Also, uninspected actions based on alternative roles are important. Using agents to not only represent influencers and targets but also the processes, it becomes possible to capture all effects and move from "what I intended to accomplish" to "what I really accomplished," including side and secondary effects. The agent architecture and a prototype for this effect-based model are presented in this paper.
Andreas Tolk, Robert J. Bowen, Patrick T. Hester