ON SOME ASPECTS OF COGNITIVE GRAPHICS APPLICATION FOR SYSTEMS THINKING AND SYSTEMS PRACTICE

This paper studies some possibilities for the creation and practical u se of a visual graphic information model (as a spatial graph in a coor dinate system, created by information variables, chosen for the system description) for systems research of complex objects and problems. Th e main features, possibilities and limits of the model in particular a s regards the visual representation of the existence, structure and qu alitative and quantitative characteristics of the system's elements an d relations are described. The model is used as an aid to analysis bas ed on principles of architecture for systems study and forecasting. As an example, a graphic model of an industrial corporation is considere d. Recommendations for the application of this model for systems manag ement, project management, information resources management and for th e creation of a computerized information system for competitor analysi s are given. It is also demonstrated that the model may be used for th e description and study of some other kinds of objects and problems as well as for illustration of some statements on system features made b y the contributors of GST and different strands of systems thinking. ( C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.