Model Command

The Model Definition button opens the Model dialog (Figure 1, right); the configuration for the goals, adjustable cells, and constraints for the model are available here. The window has five primary configurations: 

• Optimization Goal - Specifies the kind of optimization Evolver will perform on the target Cell (see below).
• Minimum - Evolver will search for adjustable cell values that minimize the Cell value.
• Maximum - Evolver will try to maximize the Cell.
• Target Value - Evolver will search for adjustable cell values that produce a value for the target Cell as close as possible to the value specified. Evolver will stop when the target value is sufficiently close to the specified value.
• Cell - The target cell to be minimized, maximized, or to achieve the specified value. A value for the target cell will be generated for each trial solution that Evolver generates.

• The target cell should contain a formula that depends, either directly or through a series of calculations, on the adjustable cells. This formula can include standard Excel functions or user-defined VBA macro functions.

• Analysis Type - Choose Standard or Efficient Frontier analysis depending on the analysis needed. See Efficient Frontier Analysis for more information.
• Adjustable Cell Ranges - Evolver requires at least one range of cells, with at least one cell in each range. These inputs will be adjusted, or "stressed" during the analysis process. See Adjustable Cell Ranges.
• Constraints - Define any limits, or constraints, to be placed on stressed inputs when determining valid solutions. See Constraints.