Conceptual models focus on selected relationships between selected concepts. They are limited in scope, having a bounded context. Conceptual models are convenient and valuable within a limited domain and for a limited time, until more elegant and complete models are (perhaps) developed.

Renovations in conceptual models are normal. Renovations can be expected until our understanding and models of a problem domain mature. Even after our understanding of a domain has stabilized and then matured, occasional revolutions can occur. Such conceptual revolutions are often the result of a paradigm shift.