STRUM - An Interactive Computer System for Modeling Binary Relations

System identification and specification is essential in every systems study. The development of structural models (which describe the geometric relationships between the elements of the system) is an important part of this procedure. However, when the system is very complex or the number of elements is large it becomes difficult to construct such models without some technical assistance. In this paper, the authors describe an interactive computer system called STRUM which facilitates the structural modeling process. The use of the system (which is implemented on the IIASA VAX 11/780 computer) is illustrated by application to a specific example. This paper is a contribution to research currently underway in the System and Decision Sciences Program

Structural Modeling as a Tool for Strategic Regional Policy

There is a great need to develop tools for the treatment of information used by experts attempting to solve strategic policy problems. This paper describes special techniques based on interactive computer usage which enables one to analyze interrelations between objectives, problems, conflicts, functions, decisions and organization. Such a technique is called the STRUctural Modeling system (STRUM). The application of STRUM to formulate a strategic policy for the long-term development of a territorial production complex is considered. This paper also suggests some methodological procedures on how to use STRUM for the solution of other strategic regional policy problems