Short Abstract: In the context of multidisciplinary complex systems design, modelling is a key aspect. It allows designers to validate designs at early design stages. Consequently, reducing the uncertainty regarding if the product fulfils the initial requirements, so they can go through the remaining development stages knowing that have found an optimal solution. In this work, a virtual prototype of an automated greenhouse irrigation system is modelled and compared with the real system implementation, finding some differences and similarities between both system testing approaches. The intrinsic dependence of experimentation and modelling is also discussed, as sometimes experimental data is needed to feed virtual models.