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. Participatory modeling is often used in environmental and resource management contexts. Benefits of this approach include a high level of ownership in decision-making and a structure by which goals and outcomes can be made explicit open to evaluation and revision.
This site contains information about the process, the products, and the outcomes associated with different participatory modeling approaches.