COGNITIVE MAPPING AND PROBLEM STRUCTURING FOR SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL-BUILDING

This article discusses an approach to problem structuring that seeks t o recognize the significance of multiple perspectives and the richness they provide in generating politically feasible ways of resolving pro blems, In particular, the method-cognitive mapping and an associated c omputer-based group support system-is related to the early stages of m odeling situations that are characterized by feedback dynamics. Thus, the method is argued to be particularly suitable as a visual interacti ve modeling method, which is mutually supportive of visual interactive system dynamics modeling methods.