project description document - systems...

Structural Modeling ProjectJoseph J. SimpsonMary J. Simpson

December 29th, 2014

Project Description Document

Version 0.17

Structural Modeling Project – Project Description Document

Table of Contents

I.Introduction

II.Goals and Objectives

III.Project Context

A. Structural Modeling Implementation Components

A-1.Fundamental Mathematics

A-2.Mathematics Engine Software

A-3.Application Software

A-4.Team Structural Modeling Processes

A. Structural Modeling Activity Areas

B-1.Basic Structural Models

B-2.Structural Integration Modeling

B-3.Interpretive Structural Models

I.Project Phases

A. Phase One

B. Phase Two

C. Phase Three

I.Summary of Project Outcomes

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I.Introduction

Structuring complex systems is the focus of the Structural Modeling Project (SMP). Theapproaches used in this project are based on the structural modeling work of John N. Warfield, asexpanded by Joseph J and Mary J Simpson. Structural modeling divides into three general areas(see Figure 1). Two general areas, created and identified by Warfield, are Basic StructuralModeling (BSM) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). An additional general area,created and developed by Simpson and Simpson, is Structural Integration Modeling (SIM). TheStructural Modeling Project sets a broadly based context for the analysis, evaluation,development and testing of specific structural modeling techniques and processes.

Figure 1. General Areas of Structural Modeling

The Structural Modeling Project (SMP) started in early 2013 as the Basic Structural ModelingProject (BSMP) to define clear requirements for a computer-based, web-based system to supportJohn N. Warfield's Interpretive Structural Modeling(ISM). The artifacts produced by the BSMPare available on the web at:

http://www.systemsconcept.org/ and at

https://github.com/jjs0sbw .

These data repositories contain the documents, code and web applications that support the BSMPobjectives. The bulk of the material contained in the repositories is focused on the review,validation and verification of the mathematical foundations of ISM presented in SocietalSystems: Planning, Policy and Complexity, 1976, by John N. Warfield.

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http://www.systemsconcept.org/

https://github.com/jjs0sbw


II.Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of the SMP is the development and deployment of well-defined processes and web-based, server-based computer tools that support the general structural modeling activity areas – not just Warfield’s mathematical foundations. The Structural Modeling Project includes the following goals and objectives.

Define and clarify structural modeling areas. Identify existing structural modeling approaches. Establish a clear set of components to implement structural modeling Create open-source software implementations of structural modeling for reference and

use as ‘test beds’ Establish open-source structural modeling processes Create a team of recognized structural modeling experts Establish a set of recommended structural modeling practices

These goals comprise an interdependent set. As each goal or objective is met, its outcome will contribute to the successful completion of the others.

A number of ISM process-based tools, techniques and approaches have been developed and usedin the past. A Handbook of Interactive Management, Second Edition (Warfield and Cardenas, 1994), presents an overview of these tools, techniques and approaches. A key feature of any given ISM approach is the tight connection between the ISM group process, and the software used to facilitate the process.

A key architectural feature of the SMP software will be the development of a set of loosely-coupled web application components that can be combined to support a range of ISM based approaches and features. The current BSMP web application is an example of a stand-alone webapplication that can be combined with other web-based components to create a fully featured ISM web-based product.

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I.Project Context

Structural Modeling, as a field with three implementation areas of activity, has a set of four modeling implementation components. The three areas of activity – basic structural modeling (BSM), structural integration modeling (SIM) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) – contribute to components of SM implementation at different stages in the SM process (see Figure 2.). The SMP will develop and document the intent of these implementation components,and the general SM activities that support them.

A. Structural Modeling Implementation Components

Four essential sets of knowledge and understanding are required to perform structural modeling successfully. As shown in Figure 2, those sets are comprised of (1) fundamental mathematics, (2) a ‘mathematics engine’ software, (3) an application software, and (4) stable team structural modeling processes.

Figure 2.

A-1.Fundamental Mathematics

There are numerous types of ‘fundamental mathematics’ associated with structural modeling activities. Examples include fuzzy math with fuzzy logic, adjacency matrices with rational numbers, and matrices with special encoding symbols. Binary matrices, and the inclusion of the Boolean operators for inference, as developed by Warfield and described in the open-source BSMP project, will be the fundamental mathematics used for the Structural Modeling

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Project. It is important to recognize the wide variety of mathematics found in structural modeling (Interpretive Structural Modeling) literature and publications. It is also important to establish a clear method to uniquely identify each mathematical approach used in structural modeling. The structural model’s organizing relation is the primary feature used touniquely identify a specific structural model. The relational attributes along with the permitted relational configurations provide the information necessary to uniquely identify a specific structural modeling approach.

A-2.Mathematics Engine Software

The choice of mathematics engine software depends on the type of fundamental mathematicschosen for any given structural modeling activity. The SMP will use the SAGE math software from the University of Washington as a development, exploration and test software component. A specialized mathematics engine written in Ruby is being developed to supporta set of structural modeling approaches. These approaches include:

General-subordination ordering (one or more elements at each level); Strict-subordination ordering (only one element at each level)

ISM clustering structure

ISM priority structure

Central-uniform clustering (cluster objects around the matrix diagonal);

Lower-triangular clustering (cluster objects in the lower triangular region of the matrix); and

Upper-triangular clustering (cluster objects in the upper triangular region of the matrix).

A-1.Application Software

The SMP intends to address communication and integration processes needed to support the deployment of a fully functional, ISM web-based tool. The web-based architecture will be designed to support ISM, N-Squared Charts, Design Structure Matrices, and other well-defined, system structural representations that focus on a graphical, matrix type of system representation. A key feature of these system model types is the requirement for a set of system isomorphisms that correctly transforms a matrix (mathematical) representation of a system to a prose (written word) representation of the same system and to a graphical representation of the same system. This required isomorphic transform allows any given system encoded in one form to be translated into any of the other isomorphic forms. The automated translation between these isomorphic forms greatly enhances the probability that agroup of people will understand the information.

The management practices used to implement Interactive Management will be the first set of processes supported by the SMP application software.

A-2.Team Structural Modeling Processes

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A ‘minimum viable product’ (MVP) will be defined and documented as a mechanism to focus customer, user and development value. The Interactive Management (IM) process outlined in Chapter 7 of A Handbook of Interactive Management, is the starting point in the MVP analysis. The basic ‘idea’ operations associated with IM and cited by Warfield are:

Generating ideas Clarifying (interpreting) ideas Amending ideas Structuring ideas Interpreting structures of ideas Amending structures of ideas.

There are IM processes that support these generic ‘idea’ operations. These IM processes are applied using a number of different mechanisms. IM processes can be usefully associated with different types of software (see Table 1.).

Table 1. IM Processes and Associated Software

IM Process Type of Software

Idea Writing Text processing and databases

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

Text processing, databases and voting applications

DELPHI Process https://sites.google.com/site/delphidecisionmaker/

ISM Many outdated software packages

Field Development Grid-based graphic systems with database backend

Profile Development Grid based graphic systems with database backend

Tradeoff Analysis Graphic and database support systems

As shown above, ISM software supports only a small portion of the IM activities. Potentially, three main group processes precede the application of ISM evaluation techniques: Idea Writing, NGT and DELPHI. Efficient use of any one of these three processes needs web-based software that supports the group actions. Three main group processes follow the application of ISM techniques: Field Development, Profile Development and Tradeoff Analysis. A software-based application with application-specific graphical layout and mathematical functions should support all three of these post-ISM activity groups.

Given the operational structure of IM, outlined above, a comprehensive process can be organized into three sections:

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Pre-ISM activities

ISM activities

Post-ISM activities.

The current SMP work focuses only on the ISM activities. Pre-ISM activities need to be evaluated, discussed and configured to support the proper application of the ISM techniques. Further, post-ISM activities need to be evaluated to identify an appropriate interface between the ISM web components and the post-ISM web components.

A. Structural Modeling Activity Areas

B-1.Basic Structural Models

Basic structural models are mathematical models that have evolved from mathematical theory. These models contain no empirical or substantive information.

B-2.Structural Integration Modeling

Structural integration models are conceptual models that properly align the empirical information associated with Interpretive Structural Models with the mathematical properties and processes found in Basic Structural Models.

B-3.Interpretive Structural Models

Models that organize, contain and communicate substantive and empirical data and information about complex issues and/or systems are know as Interpretive Structural Models.

I.Project Phases

A. Phase One

The first phase of the SMP will address items necessary to clearly organize, identify and evaluatethe diverse areas of practice associated with structural modeling. Warfield’s ISM is the main focus of the SMP; however, the variations of ISM created by Sage, Steward, Hitchins and others must be recognized and understood. Each of the primary variations in ISM will be addressed to clearly identify the differences between and among the processes. Phase One will end with a presentation at the INCOSE 2015 Winter Workshop

B. Phase Two

The second phase of the SMP will focus on Ruby software production, development and test. The primary goal of Phase Two is to have an operational ISM web-based system to support tutorials and other activities at INCOSE 2015 in July, 2015.

C. Phase Three

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The third phase of the SMP will produce and release a series of web-based software tools that support group interaction during the execution of structural modeling and Interactive Management activities.

I.Summary of Project Outcomes

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