The pathway of a modelling project is commonly described as an adaptively adjusted chain of steps at which various decisions are made. Communication and documentation about these decisions are crucial to enabling reflection and adapting the pathway to changing circumstances, such that well-informed planning is required. Project decision making, however, often remains a black box; it is rare to find reporting of dead ends, alternative decisions, and changes in decisions during the project. This paper uses an integrated environmental management case study in Iran to demonstrate the importance of reflective documentation and communication within the pathway. We show how a pathway diagram, incorporating some 14 symbols depicting steps, decision forks, options (selected and alternatives), actions, communication and documentation, can illustrate the role of communication within the project and identify lessons learnt. We also encourage further work on application of agile project management and social science techniques to improve modelling practices.

建模项目的路径通常被描述为自适应调整的步骤链，在此可以做出各种决策。有关这些决策的沟通和文档对于实现反思和适应不断变化的情况至关重要，因此需要进行明智的规划。但是，项目决策常常是一个黑匣子。在项目期间很少发现死角，替代决策和决策变更的报告。本文使用伊朗的一个综合环境管理案例研究来证明在该途径中进行反思性文档和交流的重要性。我们将展示路线图，其中包含约14个符号，分别描述步骤，决策叉，选项（选定和替代），动作，沟通和文档，可以说明沟通在项目中的作用并确定汲取的教训。我们还鼓励在应用敏捷项目管理和社会科学技术以改善建模实践方面做进一步的工作。