View source for Analytica User FAQs/Reference Materials and Additional Reading

[[Category: FAQ]]
[[Category: Documentation]]

== What reference materials exist for Analytica? ==

''(see [http://lumina.com/ana/support/download.htm http://lumina.com/ana/support/download.htm] to be sure you have links the latest versions )''

* The [http://AnalyticaOnline.com/ana/UsersGuide4_1_1.pdf Analytica User Guide].  This comprehensive guide to Analytica comes as a PDF document, installed with Analytica. You can also order a hardcopy printed version from Lumina. (464 pages)
* The [http://AnalyticaOnline.com/ana/Tutorial4_1_1.pdf Analytica Tutorial]. We recommend that new users work through this Tutorial to learn Analytica essentials. The PDF version comes installed with Analytica. (187 pages)
* The Enterprise and above editions of Analytica come with printed versions of the Analytica Tutorial and User Guide. You can order extra printed version from Lumina at [[http://www.lumina.com/ana/Release4.htm]]
* The [http://AnalyticaOnline.com/ana/Optimizer4_1_1.pdf Analytica Optimizer Guide]. The PDF (comes installed with all editions of Analytica. You get a printed version with Analytica Optimizer. (110 pages)
* The [[Analytica Wiki]] (which you are currently viewing)
* The [http://analyticaonline.com/ana/ScriptingGuide4_1_0.pdf Analytica Scripting Guide]. This PDF provides details on the Typescript window, Scripting language that you can use in the Typescript window and Button scripts, the Object class hierarchy and attribute formats, Analytica file formats, and more (67 pages)
* The [https://lumina.com/blog/ Lumina blog] includes many articles on Analytica modeling topics.
* Subscribe to the [https://lumina.com/company/analytica-newsletters/ Analytica Newsletter], which is distributed by email at most once per month. Among other relevant info, each newsletter usually includes an Analytica tip or trick.

== Where can I ask questions or get support? ==
* You can post questions on the [https://lumina.com/community/ Analytica User Forum] or review questions and answers that other Analytica users have posted.
* The [https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1940454/ LinkedIn Analytica Users group] provides a social media channel for sharing information and announcements related to Analytica.
* Email [https://lumina.com/support-2/technical-support-for-analytica/ Lumina Technical support].

== What reference materials exist for ADE? ==

* The [http://analyticaonline.com/ana/AdeUsersGuide4_1_0.pdf ADE Developers Guide] (comes installed with ADE, includes both a tutorial and a reference)
* The [http://analyticaonline.com/ana/ScriptingGuide4_1_0.pdf Analytica Scripting Guide] (comes installed with ADE)

== Are there training materials aimed at Excel-heads? ==

As for everyone, we recommend starting with the Analytica Tutorial, downloading the Trial if you haven't already.

If you have an existing spreadsheet that you rely on, having it translated into Analytica is often a great way to get started.  Lumina's consulting services can help you do that.  This gives you a starting point that feels familiar to you, and when done by experienced Analytica professionals, you'll have a very well-structured starting point.

As you create your own models, if you find yourself continually thinking in Excel terms, you should find the [[Excel to Analytica Mappings]] reference useful.

== Where can I find overviews of Analytica? ==

Here are a few articles that overview Analytica:

* Morgan & Henrion, [http://lumina.com/software/ch10.9.PDF "''Uncertainty''", 2<sup>nd</sup> ed., chapter 10.]

Although not an overview per-se, this is a very good motivating article:
* Henrion (2004), [http://lumina.com/ss1/spreadsheet1.htm "''What's wrong with Spreadsheets - and how to fix them"]

== Where can I find published third-party reviews of Analytica? ==

* Robert D. Brown III (June 2008), [http://lumina.com/whatsnew/ORMS%20review.htm Software Review: Analytica 4.1], ''OR/MS TOday''

* Barry Grushkin (March 2005), [http://lumina.com/New06/AnalyticaReviewIE05.htm?ArticleID=5039 Business Modeling: No Spreadsheets Required], ''Intelligent Enterprise''.

* Jim Ericson (6 Oct 2003), "A Better Spreadsheet: Twenty-five years after Excel, Lumina Decision Systems analytic tool is visual, powerful and flexible", ''Line56: The E-Business Daily''

* DM Review (Oct 2003), [http://www.dmreview.com/news/7467-1.html Lumina Decision Systems Launches New Business Analytics Tool], ''DMReview.com''

* Henry Morris (Sept 2003), "Group VP for Applications and Information Access", IDC Conference 2003.

Brief quotes from numerous other reviews are summarized at [http://lumina.com/ana/reviewers.htm].

== Where can I find published articles that utilized Analytica? ==

There are over 100 published articles based on Analytica models. See a partial list at [[Articles that refer to Analytica]].

== What are some good books or articles on Decision Analytic modeling? ==

This is good if you are somewhat new to modeling with uncertainty:
* Morgan & Henrion, "''Uncertainty''", Cambridge University Press.  ''Note: Best to get the second edition''.

If you want a broad overview of Decision Analytic modeling, see
* Virine & Trumper (2007), "''Project Decisions: The Art and Science''".

== What are good books for learning more about Statistical modeling topics? ==

There are many topics in statistics and statistical modeling.

For use of subjective assessments in models, again this is a good reference:
* Morgan & Henrion, "''Uncertainty''", Cambridge University Press.  ''Note: Best to get the second edition''.

For sensitivity analyses:
* A. Saltelli, K. Chan, E.M. Scott (2000), "Sensitivity Analysis", Wiley.