Design of a Decision Support System for Conflict Resolution

Abstract

In this chapter, a universal design for a Decision Support System (DSS) for the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution (GMCR) is proposed. Its objective is to permit researchers and practitioners to take full advantage of the rich range of capabilities of GMCR developed in this book and elsewhere. Using highly informative graphs, the overall design of the DSS is described, along with its three main subsystems: input, analysis engine, and output. The modular design allows the initial basic system to be extended over time as new definitions are developed and users’ needs for additional capabilities are established. For instance, an initial DSS implementation based on a matrix formulation of simple preference (Chap. 4) will permit the analysis engine to compute noncooperative (Chap. 4) and cooperative (Chap. 8) behavior efficiently. Like a lego structure, the DSS will allow for the later incorporation of additional components, such as unknown preference (Chap. 5) and conflict evolution (Chap. 9). Many of the exciting new frontiers for GMCR referred to in Sect. 10.3, such as inverse engineering to identify the preferences required to reach and stabilize a desirable resolution, can be operationalized within this proposed DSS.