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.