Introduction

The anatomy of ekphrastic.io Models

Models are the containers for your ROI Models and Economic Impact Calculator.

Staging vs Live Models. Each model consists of two versions:

• Staging Model – Used within the ROI Builder and Preview Application. It’s your sandbox environment where you can design, edit, and test your model privately.

• Live Model – This is the version your prospects and customers will interact with. Once you're satisfied with your updates in Staging, you can publish them to the Live environment.

This dual-model setup ensures you can iterate confidently without affecting the live experience until you're ready.

The basic anatomy of a model in the Model Builder consists of two key component types:

• Interactive Inputs – These are the metrics and data points you collect from the prospect or visitor.

• Outputs – These are formula-driven fields that display calculated results, using both Input and Output values.

There are a variety of Input and Output component types available to suit different needs. A combination of inputs and outputs can be used to enable real-time, interactive "what if" scenario impact analysis.

Component Identification

Each component added to a model is automatically assigned a unique ID composed of two or three alphabetic characters.

For example:

• The first component is labeled aa

• The second ab, and so on.

This logical ID structure helps you efficiently build, reference, and manage components across complex models.

ROI Models vs Economic Impact Calculators

An Interactive Economic Impact Calculator is a business value tool created within the ekphrastic platform. Unlike traditional calculators, it excludes investment or cost details. Its purpose is to highlight the value of your offering—without disclosing pricing—making it ideal for early-stage conversations focused on outcomes.

In contrast, an Interactive ROI Model includes investment details. It not only articulates the expected value but also outlines the costs required to achieve those returns. This allows prospects to assess the full picture, including projected returns, outcomes, and business impact, making it more suitable for later-stage discussions or business case validation. Create both with ekphrastic.io