Models are one of the main vehicles in everyday and scientific communication, understanding, learning, explanation, exploration, comprehension, representation, starting points for investigation, pattern detection and exploration, system development, problem solution, hypothetical reasoning, and theory development. Models are mediators, explainers, shortcuts, etc. Models are used as instruments in these scenarios. Their function varies and thus their properties.

This paper investigates the functions of models in dependence on their scenarios. We concentrate the investigation on engineering and construction scenarios which are the main model use in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. The problem solving scenarios, the science scenarios, and the social scenarios are considered as well in a brief form.