A method includes obtaining information defining a superstructure associated with a chemical processing facility. The superstructure includes simulated processing elements representing chemical processing elements within the chemical processing facility. The superstructure also includes flow streams representing flows of material between the chemical processing elements. The method also includes identifying a substructure within the superstructure, where the substructure is associated with active simulated processing elements and active flow streams within the superstructure. The method further includes generating a graphical display identifying the superstructure for presentation on a display. Active and inactive simulated processing elements have different indicia in the graphical display, and active and inactive flow streams have different indicia in the graphical display.