Context Analysis

Patrick T. Hester, Ph.D.Associate Professor

Engineering Management and Systems Engineeringpthester@odu.edu

757-683-5205

The Problem

Analytical and interpretational errors occur regularly during the formulation, analysis, and solution of systems problems.

Type III errors occur frequently--“the error associated with solving the wrong problem precisely” (Mitroff, 1998, p. 15)

“The initial representation or conceptualization of a problem is so crucial to its subsequent treatment that one is tempted to say that the most important as well as most difficult issue underlying the subject of problem solving is precisely ‘the problem of how to represent problems.’” (Mitroff & Featheringham, 1974, p. 383)

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The Problem cont.

Failure to properly define the scope of the problem results in inadequate problem statements and commonly results in “the error committed by giving the right answer to the wrong problem” (Kaiser, 1957, p. 134).

Significant contributor to Type III error is a poor understanding and characterization of the problem’s context and environment

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The Solution

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System

External Systems

Context

are impacted by “System”

impacts, but not impacted by, “System”

Graphical tool for automatically generating and outputting a graphic similar to this one:

The Big Picture

This tool will eventually interface with the STakeholder Analysis Tool (STAT) currently finishing development in CS 411 to provide a complete understanding of problem characteristics and associated stakeholders

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References

Kaiser, H. F. (1960). Directional Statistical Decisions. Psychological Review, Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 160-167.

Mitroff, I. I. (1998). Smart Thinking for Crazy Times: The Art of Solving the Right Problems. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

Mitroff, I. I., & Featheringham, T. R. (1974). On Systematic Problem Solving and the Error of the Third Kind. Behavioral Science, Vol. 19, No. 6, pp. 383-393.

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