Eliciting the Real Problem

Abstract

Systems methodologies have become associated with increasing mathematical refinement and the use of computers to allow data acquisition, modelling, simulation and decision techniques of increasing complexity. However, the base level of all applications of any methodology is that of problem expression, of determining what the application is actually about, of setting up the rules of the game that will be played with the refined instruments available. In this paper we are concerned with methodologies for teasing out the base level problem and expressing it, and with eliciting the languages in which it, and relevant relationships to it, may be stated and discussed. We relate our work to the epistemological hierarchy of Klir, the soft systems methodology of Checkland, and the personal construct psychology of Kelly. We operationalize these through computer programs that elicit key terms relating to the problem being studied and a vocabulary through which these can be compared and contrasted.