BASIC STRUCTURAL MODELING PROJECT
Joseph J. Simpson
11-04-2013
PROJECT DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT
Version 0.61 Table of Contents
Introduction
Purpose
Project Context
Basic Structural Modeling Publications
Basic Structural Modeling Elements
Project Artifacts
Basic Structural Modeling Executable Code
Basic Structural Model Project Schedule
Basic Structural Model Project Organization
Appendix A – SAGE Support for BSM Functions Appendix B – NOTES Introduction
The Basic Structural Modeling (BSM) Project (BSMP) is focused on clearly defining the elements of BSM, and creating a well-documented set of computer executable code that demonstrates each element of the code base. Each BSM element will have a text description, an outline of typical application, executable code functions, and standard test packages. BSM is one component of Structural Modeling developed by John N. Warfield and reported in a number of publications, including Societal Systems: Planning, Policy and Complexity, 1976. Structural Modeling has two components: BSM and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Within this project, ISM will only be considered when the BSM elements are used to support ISM activities.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the BSMP is the creation of an open-source set of computer code that is available to support the implementation of ISM methods. A distinct boundary between BSM and ISM is developed to support awareness of these two different structural modeling activities. Well-defined packages of verified code – produced by this project – can be used in a number of system structural analysis activities, including ISM activities. The distinct boundary between BSM and ISM methods and procedures is established based on the content of the book Societal Systems: Planning, Policy and Complexity. The BSM material is located in chapters 8 through 13 and the ISM material is located in chapters 14 through 17. The topics included in the BSM domain are: Boolean algebra, sets and binary relations Binary matrices and matrix models Digraphs, digraph maps, and digraph models Structure and complexity Transitive embedding Cycles The topics included in the ISM domain are: Interpretive structural modeling Intent structures, impact structures, and coalitions Preference structures, decision trees, and DELTA charts
Project Context Over the last forty years, the ISM technique has been applied by a large number of individuals on numerous system problems. However, there has not been a standard, open-source code base developed to support the required ISM software. All, or almost all, of the current ISM software tools are tied to older types of computer systems with no ISM software available for a range of modern computer operating systems. The code base produced by the BSMP is viewed as a primary component necessary to support the implementation of modern ISM software systems. Existing BSM and ISM literature will be identified, evaluated and explored to support the clear definition of the project context and the boundaries. Basic Structural Modeling Publications
BSM has been described in a number of publications including:
A Unified Systems Engineering Concept, John N. Warfield 1972 An Assault on Complexity, John N. Warfield 1973 Structuring Complex Systems, John N. Warfield 1974 Societal Systems: Planning, Policy and Complexity, John N. Warfield 1976 The publications listed above may be difficult to obtain in electronic form and the access to printed copies of the material also may be limited. Much, if not all, of the BSM work has been published in engineering journals and other scientific publications. Therefore, the initial phase of the BSM project will focus on the primary content listed in the above publications. After the first initial phase is complete, a second phase will review the same material in more detail and add references to journal publications where the material under review may be located. When possible, links to electronic copies of these publications will be provided to support independent verification, validation and replication of the techniques under investigation.
Basic Structural Modeling Elements
BSM is the foundational mathematical component of structural modeling. Structural modeling is a developing field that uses graphics and systems analysis to structure complex problems and issues. Complex problems and issues span the boundaries of scientific and engineering disciplines creating a need for a carefully defined, documented and standardized set of tools and methods to address complexity. BSM is a key part of this standardized tool kit that focuses on presenting graphs, directed graphs and graphics that carry mathematical and semantic meanings, rather than substantive or empirical discipline-specific information. ISM – another part of this tool kit – focuses on the organization, structuring, and presentation of empirical, substantive knowledge about the area of interest.
BSM elements are grouped into the general area of binary matrices, binary matrix models, directed graphs, directed graph maps and directed graph models. These are the areas that will receive the initial attention in development of the BSM code base. There are a number of specific matrix types that are used in the process of structural modeling. This work will focus on the “is-north-of” natural language relationship which is a type of subordination matrix.
Project Artifacts
The Basic Structural Modeling Project is scheduled to produce a rage of project artifacts. Theses artifacts are organized into three basic groups. These groups are 1) project documents, 2) project videos and 3) project code. Contents of these groups are detailed below.
Group One includes: The Project Description Document that outlines the project goals, elements, schedule, artifacts and organization. The Problem Definition Report that outlines the major obstacles associated with the understanding and implementation of Warfield's structural modeling techniques. The Conceptual Solution Report outlines the approach used to structure a selected system problem involving 19 cities. The Final Project Report outlines the selected solution approach as well as details the application of the project code. The general problem type is the same in the documents, ordering 19 cities. However, the initial system configuration changes between the Problem Definition Report and the Conceptual Solution Report, so the specific, individual solution approaches are not the same.
Group Two includes: A set of YouTube videos that explore the techniques presented in the project documentation. The first series of YouTube videos is discusses the application of the selected solution processes to the selected problem space. The second set of videos focus on specific steps in the solution process. The third set of videos comprise a tutorial introduction to the project material.
Group Three includes: The SAGE math worksheets and notebooks that are used to support the computer calculations in the project.
Basic Structural Modeling Executable Code
Each BSM element will have an executable code module developed to provide the necessary function. Each executable code module will have a specification, executable code, and a set of test data to demonstrate that the code module meets the provided specification. The executable code may be developed in a range of computer languages and tools. All BSM module code will be developed and released under an appropriate, open-source software license.
Basic Structural Model Project Schedule
The BSMP has an official start date on May 1st, 2013. The project development phases will be as follows:
Problem Definition – three to nine month activity – May 2013 to February 2014 The problem definition phase has three, three-month phases. Initial phase: May 2013 to August 2013 The first pass at the problem definition phase is complete. (06-10-13) Selected Octave as the computational engine for calculations. Explored the problems associated with the unique mathematics operations needed. The second pass runs from 06-10-13 to 07-01-13. Identified problems in both the Octave and Sage systems. Will use the Sage computational engine with matrix sizes 19 by 19 or smaller. The third pass is scheduled to run from 07-01-13 to 08-05-13. Start to review a detailed example. Begin to form the initial phase problem definition report. Add details of relation attributes Develop areas of focus Definition phase: August 2013 to November 2013 The first pass at the definition phase is scheduled for 08-05-13 to 09-02-13. Start specific analysis type definition Prepare demonstration of analysis approaches The second pass is scheduled for 09-02-13 to 10-07-13. Will be on travel during this time An example using 19 cities has been selected The third pass is scheduled for 10-07-13 to 11-04-13. Create final analysis type description Create a set of alternative views Detail the complete cities example Finalize draft project documents Final phase: November 2013 to February 2014. The first pass at the final problem definition phase runs from 11-04-13 to 12-02-13. Create design outline and approach document Create SAGE math code outline The second pass is scheduled for 12-02-13 to 01-06-14. The third pass is scheduled for 01-06-14 to 02-03-14.
Conceptual Solution Development – three to nine month activity – August 2013 to May 2014 Initial phase: August 2013 to November 2013 The first pass at the conceptual solution phase is scheduled for 08-05-13 to 09-02-13. Prepare basic solution approach Prepare Sage math and Python code base Prepare graphic examples for demonstration Publish a YouTube video project introduction The second pass is scheduled for 09-02-13 to 10-07-13. Will be on travel during this time Add video discussions of topics Create more videos to explain the project The third pass is scheduled for 10-07-13 to 11-04-13. Outline complete city structuring example Update and refine video presentations Definition phase: November 2013 to February 2014 The first pass at the solution definition phase runs from 11-04-13 to 12-02-13. Explore ordering process Sage Math code Explore identification of highest inference potential Explore integration of all code processes The second pass is scheduled for 12-02-13 to 01-06-14. Finalize code structure and function The third pass is scheduled for 01-06-14 to 02-03-14. Finalize Sage math code release Final phase: February 2014 to May 2014 The first pass at the final solution phase runs from 02-03-14 to 03-03-14. Gather feedback and improve code base Schedule workshop on finial code utilization The second pass is scheduled for 03-03-14 to 03-31-14. Update and improve Sage math code Gather feedback from user community The third pass is scheduled for 03-31-14 to 05-05-14. Update and improve Sage math code Release the Sage math code under a open source license
Code Module Development – three to nine month activity – August 2013 to May 2014 Initial phase: August 2013 to November 2013 The first pass at the code development phase is scheduled for 08-05-13 to 09-02-13. Select computational language Define basic computational modules The second pass is scheduled for 09-02-13 to 10-07-13. Will be on travel during this time Add video discussions of topics Prepare code execution outline The third pass is scheduled for 10-07-13 to 11-04-13. Select SAGE Math as the project code type Outline ordering process solution approach Integration and test phase: November 2013 to February 2014 The first pass at the integration and test phase runs from 11-04-13 to 12-02-13. Create pseudo-code outline Create SAGE math modules The second pass is scheduled for 12-02-13 to 01-06-14. The third pass is scheduled for 01-06-14 to 02-03-14. Release phase: February 2014 to May 2014 The first pass at the release phase runs from 02-03-14 to 03-03-14. The second pass is scheduled for 03-03-14 to 03-31-14. The third pass is scheduled for 03-31-14 to 05-05-14.
BSM Alpha Code Release – January 2014
BSM Beta Code Release – March 2014
BSM Release Candidate One – May 2014
Basic Structural Model Project Organization
The BSMP is organized as an open-source project with a target product consisting of software, documentation, manuals, tutorials and other materials necessary to define, develop and produce an effective open-source BSM tool set. Joseph J. Simpson is the open-source team leader with final decision-making authority associated with all aspects of the project.
The project components may be released under a range of open-source licenses as necessary to meet the project objectives of a freely available, well-defined set of information and executable code that defines, bounds, executes and explains the BSM methods and features. Appendix A - SAGE Support for BSM Functions The SAGE mathematics software system is an integrated, open-source software package that provides central, uniform access to a wide range of computer-based mathematics tools. This environment supports direct access to 21 different mathematical software packages. The BSMP will explore the available functional support for Warfield’s BSM within the SAGE computational engine and the Octave computational engine in the problem definition phase. The current version of the SAGE system is 5.8, with version 5.4 available for use on the web. Notebooks will be developed and distributed to support the BSMP goals and objectives. The first notebook (from May 6th, 2013), created using the SAGE mathematics system and the SAGE computational engine, addressed most of the mathematical operations and functions described in Chapter 8 of Societal Systems: Planning, Policy, and Complexity.
Many of the basic features provided by the SAGE mathematics software directly support BSM operations. However, the augmented Boolean operators and Boolean inequalities will need to be carefully evaluated. It is possible that these functions may not be required in a computer-based mathematics system. It appears that these functions are useful. Appendix B- NOTES
NOTE 1-- May 13th 2013: Individuals have indicated a need for the base documents which have limited availability in hard-copy, printed format. As the work progresses, links to electronic copies of journal publications will be provided as they are discovered. If anyone has links to electronic versions of the base material that they would like to share, please contact Joseph Simpson. NOTE 2 – May 15th 2013: The Sage computational engine has support for binary numbers and matrices in the form of a Galois Field (2), GF(2). This type of support limits direct implementation of the Warfield augmented Boolean algebra operators for matrix operations. Therefore, the review of the Sage computational engine will be suspended, and the Octave computational engine will be the main focus of the continued review. NOTE 3 – May 15th 2013: Warfield augmented Boolean algebra (WABA) adds the concept of order to the two Boolean constants. The addition of order to Boolean algebra supports the addition of the following new Boolean operators: Less than operator “0 < 1” Greater than operator “1 > 0” Less than or equal to “0 ≤ 1” Greater than or equal to “1 ≥ 0” Boolean subtraction “1 -1 ” When this new concept of Boolean order is used with matrix operations, the following Boolean matrix operations are added: Matrix subtraction: subtract one matrix from another Matrix ordering: one matrix less than, greater than, or equal to, another Boolean matrix NOTE 4 – May 15th 2013: During the development of the binary matrix model, that supports augmented Boolean operations, Warfield introduced an adaptive logic system that allows a three-valued logic to transition to a two-valued logic system under specific contextual conditions. The ‘Warfield adaptive logic approach’ (WALA) introduces the logical values of TRUE, FALSE and UNKNOWN. These three values may transition to a Boolean logic system that has only TRUE and FALSE values. One unique feature of WALA is the fact that the three logical values are mapped to two symbols. TRUE maps to one (1). FALSE maps to zero (0). UNKNOWN maps to zero (0). If the matrix model is using the three-valued logic, then the matrix model is incomplete. If the matrix model is using the two-value logic, then the matrix model is complete. NOTE 5 – May 25th 2013: GNU Octave appears to provide basic support for almost all of the primary WABA and WALA operators and functions. Some custom code will need to be written to address sequential and logical application of these operators to a given problem space. In the second pass through the material – after the computational tools have been selected – a more detailed, structured analysis will be presented. Example application types must be developed to support the integrated presentation of this material. NOTE 6 – May 30th 2013: The results from the first, high-level evaluation of math tools has been presented in the series of notebooks 001 to 007. The detailed information gained during this evaluation was used to make a few basic decisions. These decisions are: The BSMP executable system will have four basic components: The Octave computational engine The Octave information input interface The Octave information output interface The BSM system graphical display module. The first pass through the problem definition initial phase is complete. The second pass through the initial phase will start next, with the object of using the selected computational engine (Octave) to support additional detail in the analysis, description and documentation of the material covered in the first pass through the initial phase. Example applications of the binary matrix, using specific binary relations are necessary to provide complete, in-depth examples of the BSM analysis activities. Please provide example areas that you think would be good for this specific purpose. Reply to the list or Joseph Simpson. The second pass will produce Sage notebooks, and a more detailed report document at each stage of the development. NOTE 7 – June 8th 2013: “The Mathematics of Structure” is a book published by Ajar Publishing Company in 2003. This book contains Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the larger work “Societal Systems: Planning, policy, and Complexity.” A copy of this book may be obtained by sending an email to Nancy Warfield at: [email protected] or [email protected]. This book may also be available at the following link: http://www.jnwarfield.com/ or http://www.jnwarfield.com/book2.htm NOTE 8 – June 22nd 2013: Ran into a few issues with the Octave computational engine on Mac OSX. As a result, the program was switched back to the Sage computational engine for the BSMP computational work. The BSMP executable system will have four basic components: The Sage computational engine The Sage information input interface The Sage information output interface The BSM system graphical display module NOTE 9 – June 28th 2013: The Sage notebook has a problem displaying a matrix larger than 19 by 19. This bug stopped the production of a Sage notebook this week. The plan is to have a notebook up next week with a 19 by 19 or smaller matrix.
NOTE 10 – August 14th 2013: Started a graphic slide set that will demonstrate a typical system structuring process.
NOTE 11 – September 30th 2013: Changed the area that stores the project documents, so the web addressing changed a small amount. Will address this change if anyone has problems.