The density functional theory and the cluster model approach enable the quantitative computational analysis of the adsorption of small chemical species on metal surfaces. Two studies are presented, one concerning the adsorption of acetylene on copper (100) surfaces, the other concerning the adsorption of ethylene on the (100) surfaces of nickel, palladium and platinum. These studies support the usefulness of the cluster model approach in studies of heterogeneous catalysis involving transition metal catalysts.