The provided documents describe Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and Interactive Management (IM) as robust methodologies designed to organise and resolve complex systemic issues. These approaches integrate mathematical algorithms with group participation to transform scattered ideas into structured visual maps, such as digraphs and problematiques. Central to this process is the role of a skilled facilitator and the use of the Nominal Group Technique to ensure productive, unbiased idea generation. The texts also highlight how systems science addresses human and organisational limitations by employing specialised software to handle logical inferences. Furthermore, the sources document extensive global applications, ranging from government infrastructure redesign to peace-building efforts in conflict zones. Collectively, these materials advocate for a disciplined scientific framework to manage the intricate relationships inherent in large-scale social and technical systems.
Sources
• Warfield, J. N. (1974). Toward Interpretation of Complex Structural Models. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, SMC-4(5), 405-417. DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.1974.4309336[1] • Warfield, J. N. (1973). On Arranging Elements of a Hierarchy in Graphic Form. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, SMC-3(2), 121-132. DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.1973.5408493[23] • Warfield, J. N. (1973). Intent Structures. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, SMC-3(2), 133-140. DOI: 10.1109/TSMC.1973.5408494[20] • Warfield, J. N. (2004). Linguistic Adjustments: Precursors to Understanding Complexity. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 21(2), 123-145. DOI: 10.1002/sres.601[62] • Warfield, J. N. (2007). Systems science serves enterprise integration: a tutorial. Enterprise Information Systems, 1(2), 235-254. DOI: 10.1080/17517570701356102[109] • Kakoulaki, M., Flanagan, T. R., & Christakis, A. N. (2007). Dialogic Design Science: An Approach for Co-Creating Visionary Anticipations. Journal of Systems Thinking.[132] • Janes, F. R. (1988). Interpretive structural modelling: a methodology for structuring complex issues. Transactions of the Institute of Measurement and Control, 10(3), 145-154. DOI: 10.1177/014233128801000306[61] • Laouris, Y., & Michaelides, M. (2017). Structured Democratic Dialogue: An application of a mathematical problem structuring method to facilitate reforms with local authorities in Cyprus. European Journal of Operational Research, 1-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2017.04.041[20] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2014). Entropy Metrics for System Identification and Analysis. Systems Engineering, 17(2). DOI: 10.1002/sys.21259[206] • Miller, A. K., Simpson, J. J., Grasman, S. E., & Dagli, C. H. (2005). A Generic, Adaptive Systems Engineering Information Model I. Conference on Systems Engineering Research. ISBN: 0-615-12843-2[247] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2019). Applied Natural Language Relationships. Technical Report SC-TR-00029. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28252.44162[261] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2019). Augmented Interactive Management Overview. Technical Report SC-TR-00030. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33974.55361[275] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2019). Augmented Interactive Management. Technical Report SC-TR-00025. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36741.60649[290] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2014). BSMP_Problem_Definition_Report / Basic Structural Modeling Project. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4349.5769[304] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2019). Basic System Concepts. Technical Report SC-TR-00027. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11071.76968[303] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2011). Complexity Reduction: A Pragmatic Approach. Systems Engineering, 14(2). DOI: 10.1002/sys.20170[242] • McCartor, M. M., & Joseph J. Simpson (1999). Concept Mapping as a Communications Tool in Systems Engineering. INCOSE International Symposium. DOI: 10.1002/j.2334-5837.1999.tb00303.x[404] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2006). Formal Systems Concepts. Fourth Annual Conference on Systems Engineering Research (CSER).[246] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2006). Foundational Systems Engineering (SE) Patterns for a SE Pattern Language. 16th Annual INCOSE International Symposium.[402] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2015). Foundational Aspects of System Complexity Reduction. 25th Annual INCOSE International Symposium. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2557.5526[241] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2010). John N. Warfield’s Systems Science Principles & Laws. Conference Paper. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3333.5361[445] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2015). Objects, Relations and Clusters for System Analysis. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3106.4166[403] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2019). Ontology as a System. Technical Report SC-TR-00031. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.19493.45281[390] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2018). Open Source Structural Modeling Software. Technical Report SC_TR_00024. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.31708.85121[270] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2015). Structural Modeling Framework. 25th Annual INCOSE International Symposium. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2033.2647[242] • Simpson, J. J. (2017). Structural Modeling Project Overview. Presentation. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.17218.58563[541] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2017). Technical Report, SC_TR_0010: Structural Modeling Project - Overview. Technical Report. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29542.63041[243] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2014). System Analysis and Identification: Objects, Relations and Clusters. Technical Report SC_TR_0002. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.2821.1201[244] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2018). System Concepts and Theories. Technical Report SC_TR_00020. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25841.17765[243] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2005). System Integration Frameworks. 15th Annual INCOSE International Symposium.[246] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2018). System Structure and Behavior. Technical Report SC_TR_00023. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.10925.59366[427] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2006). Systems Engineering (SE) Patterns and Pattern Language. 4th Annual Conference on Systems Engineering Research.[402] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2017). The Problematique Application Structural Type. Technical Report SC_TR_00013. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16159.66723[246] • Simpson, J. J., Mary J. Simpson, & Thomas B. Kercheval (2017). Threshold Metric for Mapping Natural Language Relationships among Objects. 15th Annual CSER. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24767.92324[243] • Simpson, J. J., & Mary J. Simpson (2015). Foundational Aspects of System Complexity Reduction — A Tutorial. Presentation. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4606.6807[650] • Simpson, J. J. (2008). System of Systems Power and Paradox.[260] • Warfield, J. N. (2003). Measuring Complexity.[715] • Özbekhan, H., Jantsch, E., & Christakis, A. N. (1970). The Predicament of Mankind: A Quest for Structured Responses to Growing World-Wide Complexities and Uncertainties. Proposal to the Club of Rome.[137] • Warfield, J. N. (1998). What Questions Have Been Formulated and Answered in a 30-Year Research Program to Study Complexity? NASA Engineering Training Monograph.[742] • Warfield, J. N., & Christakis, A. N. (1987). Dimensionality. Systems Research, 4(2), 127-137.[523] • Warfield, J. N. (1999). Twenty Laws of Complexity: Science Applicable in Organizations. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 16, 3-40. DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1092-7026(199901/02)16:1<3::AID-SRES271>3.0.CO;2-9[77] • Warfield, J. N. (2003). A Proposal for Systems Science. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 20(6), 507-520. DOI: 10.1002/sres.528[21] • Settanni, E., Reinout Heijungs, & Jagjit Singh Srai (2023). Where have all the equations gone? A unified view on semi-quantitative problem structuring and modelling. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 74(1), 290-309. DOI: 10.1080/01605682.2022.2039565[21] • Warfield, J. N. (2006). An Introduction to Systems Science. World Scientific Publishing Co. ISBN: 981-256-702-X[22] • Warfield, J. N., & Scott M. Staley (1996). Structural Thinking: Organizing Complexity Through Disciplined Activity. Systems Research, 13(1), 47-67. DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1735(199603)13:1<47::AID-SRES82>3.0.CO;2-G[106] • Warfield, J. N., & George H. Perino Jr. (1999). The Problematique: Evolution of an Idea. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 16(3), 221-226. DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1743(199905/06)16:3<221::AID-SRES285>3.0.CO;2-H[78] • Warfield, J. N. (1995). Spreadthink: Explaining Ineffective Groups. Systems Research, 12(1), 5-14. DOI: 10.1002/sres.3850120104[203]