Preliminary analysis

Plan a Machinations diagram by choosing a question, data, adjustable rules, outcomes, step length and resources before you build.

Before drawing a system, decide what question the model should help you explore. This keeps the diagram focused and makes its results easier to interpret.

Questions to answer first

Available data: what do you know about the system, and what remains an assumption?
Adjustable rules: which values or relationships do you want to change?
Outcome: what should you observe or compare after you Play?
Time: what does one step represent, and how many steps matter?
Resources: what enters, moves through or leaves the system?

Start with the smallest diagram that can answer your question. Add detail when it changes a decision or helps explain an outcome.