Problem Structuring Methods Research Articles

A problem structuring method framework for value-focused thinking

• Value Focused Thinking (VFT) is used in many situations to identify and structure a complex decision problem with value-based objectives. • VFT have no a repeatable and systematic framework. • Researchers adopt various ways of structuring VFT that most commonly range from 2 to 10 steps. • VFT is widely used for structuring problems of a qualitative nature in a similar way to other Problem Structuring Methods. Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) is used in many situations to identify and structure value-based objectives. VFT shares motivations with the consolidated field of Operations Research (OR), called Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs). This study presents a historical outline of the origins of PSMs and how VFT fits into the literature. The procedures adopted involve a literature review on VFT applications. The results confirmed that VFT is applied in problematic situations in which PSMs are used without a definite framework. The structure adopted for VFT varies between 2 and 10 steps. The contribution of this study is to promote a dialogue with the related literature and demonstrate how the VFT is used in the PSM field. In addition, based on an analysis of the most frequently adopted practices in the literature, we present a systematic structure of VFT in four stages that makes it more similar to the traditional PSM.

Review of problem structuring methods and its application in understanding the housing needs of slum dwellers in India

This paper provides an extensive review of commonly used Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) and studies their possible applications for understanding the challenges faced by slum dwellers living in informal settlements across cities in India. The study highlights the role of PSMs as a group of analytical methods for identifying the problems faced by poor and vulnerable populations and looks for possible solutions to increase their efficiency. Subsequently, the paper describes and compares commonly used PSMs such as Soft Systems Methodology, Strategic Options Development and Analysis, Strategic Choice Approach, Robustness Analysis, and Value-Focused Thinking. The paper finally draws attention to the nature of challenges involved in the application of PSMs for slum dwellers which is different from its typical application involving people in managerial positions across organizations who generally are domain experts in their fields

A multicriteria decision aid perspective that guides an incremental development of knowledge and fosters relationships and decisions

“Ivrea, industrial city of the 20 th century”, is the 54 th UNESCO site in Italy, and it has been in the World Heritage List since July 2018. Its inclusion was the result of a complex decision process, which needs to be reactivated to enhance this large, unitary urban system of great historical, architectural and environmental value. The huge dimensions and extreme heterogeneity of the built heritage, the weakness of the socio-economic context, and the dynamics of the public and private organisations have generated a complex situation, which hinders the enhancement of the whole UNESCO site. A methodology that integrates two decision aid approaches can deal with and reduce these complexity factors, to guide the incremental development of knowledge and to foster relationships that facilitate the process reactivation. A Problem Structuring method was used to structure the decision problems and logically synthesise fragmented knowledge. Multicriteria models and methods were used to analytically describe the space of action and propose examples of how alternative policies, enhancement activities or projects can be analysed and evaluated, to be ranked or selected. The paper describes the problem situation and how these methods were integrated and used. The study aims to underline the complementarity of the different decision aid approaches and to show how logical and analytical models, applications of tools and results can be proposed to create an effective communication process, both at technical level and with stakeholders who are willing to participate in preparatory workshops.

Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project

This article proposes the importance of admitting into the repertoire of Problem Structuring Methods for (Community) Operational Research, the methodology called Structured Dialogical Design (SDD). Problem Structuring Methods are described in the literature as facilitating transparent and participative ways of formulating and systemically modelling problems with a view to participants’ co-defining alternative futures. We reflect upon the contribution of SDD as lying in its appreciation of “third phase science” and discuss links to other deliberative processes. We indicate why SDD can be classed as “problem structuring” despite the near absence of publicisation in the Operational Research (OR) literature to date. We discuss distinct contributions that the SDD offers to the OR world and indicate how it strengthens and extends Community OR, contributes to Critical Systems Thinking in OR, and offers new mathematical approaches that the Community OR practitioners may wish to consider using. By way of illustration, we showcase the “European Initiative” as an aspect of a large-scale project across five geographical regions funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund, in conjunction with the Future Worlds centre (2016–2018). It engaged as stakeholders five cohorts of youth pioneers concerned with formulating options for Re-inventing democracy in the digital age.

Structuring the resource allocation in response natural disaster phase using the Value-Focused Thinking (VFT)

Many countries experiences every year several natural disasters or human catastrophes which takes thousands of millions souls. A lot of mechanisms to predict many kinds of these natural disasters have been developed in the attempt to minimize the amount of victims and it has reached such a successful level. However, even with all these predictive systems, natural disasters still happen and will continue to occur. After a disaster happened the response phase is the mainly way to save affected people. Many countries, organizations and other actors involved in this phase work alone without integration. This way, such phase becomes a difficult and expensive work. This paper aims to suggest a start point to structure and organize the response phase of a disaster, with a systematic application of the Problem Structuring Methods (PSM), focused in the resource allocation for victims rescue.

Intervention strategies for urban blight: A participatory approach

Urban blight has been the subject of numerous worldwide studies. However, because of blight’s complexity, direct relationship with ​​urban planning and multifaceted associated variables, studies targeting certain aspects of blight require detailed conceptualization and structure to facilitate decision-making processes that address blight. Many urban, socio-economic and cultural externalities associated with blight need to be addressed in developing viable intervention strategies for prevention, attenuation and eradication. Identifying and simplifying the complex issues associated with blight is important as their intricacy creates difficulties for decision makers. We simplify the blight problem by using unique techniques for structuring complex decision problems (i.e., problem structuring methods (PSMs)). This methodology is based on multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) principles, as well as a combination of participatory techniques (i.e., decision conferencing and cognitive mapping). In a subsequent phase, the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is used to enable the development of a more realistic, transparent analysis model for blight intervention strategies. This study assumes a constructivist logic, so both objective and subjective elements are included. The proposed methodology’s advantages and limitations are also discussed.

Problem Structuring Methods: A Review of Advances Over the Last Decade

The Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs) are a set of interactive and participatory modeling approaches for dealing with unstructured complex problems, which are characterized by the existence of multiple actors, with differing perspectives and conflicting interests, trying to identify alternatives for solving a problematic situation in an environment with uncertainties. In this paper, we provide a literature review about PSMs over the last decade (2010-2020), focusing on verifying the distribution of papers according to year, journals, countries, and authors; to identify the most frequent PSMs and areas of application; and to present methodological and theoretical advances, and emerging topics. The content analysis technique was used to analyze the papers. From 2015 on there was a significant increase in the number of studies that address the PSMs and the years 2018 and 2019 concentrate around one-third of the number of papers. Most of the papers present applications of PSM in different areas that were classified into five categories: business management; environmental management; healthcare sector; social issues; and other areas. Regardless of the application area, the Soft System Methodology (SSM) is the most frequently used PSM and a discussion is provoked about this finding. The paper also presents the theoretical and methodological advances and emerging topics in this discipline.

State Aviation Risk Assessment Level Determination Using Hierarchical Fuzzy Inference System Based on Cognitive Maps

During 2018, ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized UN organization) made available the results of its USOAP (Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program): the ratio of compliance for each ICAO member State to 1047 aviation safety-related protocol questions, divided into eight audit areas. Numbers itself has little meaning, even for aviation personnel. Using Cognitive Mapping (CogMap), a Problem Structuring Method tool, this paper develops a framework to extract and organize information from aviation specialists, allowing define Risk Assessment Level for each State, and for each Aviation Safety Branch defined. Using Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS), helpful supporting decision making, Big Data available from ICAO is converted to Risk Levels for each State and audit area, what may be used to make informed better Safety decisions on the World Aviation Market. Up to the moment, there’s no evidence on the literature of using CogMap to establish a FIS.

Surveying applications of Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) from 1989 to 2018

Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) is a well-established problem structuring method (PSM) used to tackle problematic situations for at least 30 years within the discipline of Operational Research (OR) and other fields. The aim of this study is to assess the ways academics have been implementing SODA methodology in different fields of knowledge and practice. We started by exploring the SODA history followed by the evaluation of published articles associated with the practical applications of SODA from 1989 (publication date of Rational Analysis for a Problematic World) to 2018. We searched relevant databases and studied 200 SODA-related articles, we examined the scope of each application, whether as a sole SODA application or as a combination with other methodologies. We also investigated which elements of the methodology have been used. Our findings suggest that SODA through its associated technique of cognitive mapping has been used in conjunction with other methods. SODA is a participative methodology designed to provide dialogue, reflection, learning, consensus and commitment, but the sample of articles surveyed indicate that its use has been limited to helping modelling the problematic situation and providing a common understanding to participants. Other core activities, such as group negotiation support, have not been fully used. Our findings suggest that SODA is a methodology suitable to different contexts and its practice has grown steadily over time but that to exploit the full use of its activities, its creators need to produce a set of constitutive rules to guide the applications.

A Review of Problem Structuring Methods for Consideration in Prognostics and Smart Manufacturing

Successful use of prognostics involves the prediction of future system behaviors in an effort to maintain system availability and reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs. Recent work by the National Institute of Standards and Technology indicates that the field of prognostics and health management is vital for remaining competitive in today’s manufacturing environment. While prognostics-based maintenance involves many traditional operations researchcentric challenges for successful deployment such as limited availability of information and concerns regarding computational efficiency, the authors argue in this paper that the field of prognostics and health management, still in its embryonic development stage, could benefit greatly from considering soft operations research techniques as well. Specifically, the authors propose the use of qualitative problem structuring techniques that aid in problem understanding and scoping. This paper provides an overview of these soft methods and discusses and demonstrates how manufacturers might use them. An approach combining problem structuring methods with traditional operations research techniques would help accelerate the development of the prognostics field.

The emergence of problem structuring methods, 1950s–1989: An atlas of the journal literature

AbstractResearchers need maps to effectively navigate increasingly voluminous literatures. This is no less the case in the field of problem structuring methods (PSMs). This paper offers an atlas of the journal literature of the theoretical development of, what are currently acknowledged to be, the four main PSMs up to their consolidation in 1989. A thorough contextual appreciation of the structure and dynamics of this literature sets the stage for addressing some of its specific aspects, for which an atlas is especially effective as an orientation device. Substantiated suggestions for exploratory excursions, as well as potential pitfalls, are accentuated, the overall aim being to provide researchers with navigational support that may assist their research objectives. Based on evidence uncovered from the atlas, a number of issues current in the PSM field are discussed, including the use of the collective descriptor ‘family’, the extent to which PSMs find their origins, and belong, in the wider field of operational research and the identification of sources that have hitherto received little or no acknowledgment but which merit attention as precursors and promising contributors to PSM research. The paper is accompanied by an electronic supplement containing the basic data of the atlas from which additional maps may be designed and constructed.

An overview of air delay: A case study of the Brazilian scenario

Delay is a key point in air transportation activity. As a performance metric, it affects common policy concerns. Delay impacts passenger satisfaction and imposes costs. The complexity that sets in for the air traffic manager is how to mitigate delay, especially in an environment with several stakeholders. The present article applied a problem-structuring method (PSM), named value-focused thinking (VFT), to structure the problem of the air traffic flow management arrival delay. The inflexibility of incorporating a flight operator's specific needs is considered one of the reasons for the limited success of air traffic flow management (ATFM) programs. PSM allows participants to clarify their dilemmas, converge on a mutually liable problem, or agree to the proposed solutions and compromise on what partially solves the issue. The problem is that most papers focus only on the applied solution for air delay mitigation. Before implementing operational research techniques, we investigated the nature and characteristics of air delay. Results showed that there were several stakeholders with distinctive requirements for their business and many of their objectives are interconnected. The use of VFT provided an objective map that can be used as a guide for future solutions.

Understanding participant engagement in problem structuring interventions with self-determination theory

The importance of understanding how Soft OR methods work is increasingly being recognised. However, gaining insight into how participant engagement develops at the micro-level of a problem structuring intervention is an ongoing challenge. This exploratory study addresses the question: How do intrinsically motivating experiences of participants unfold in problem structuring interventions? A sensitising device for the study of motivational affordances in problem structuring interventions is proposed, grounded in self-determination theory, interaction aesthetics and the generic constitutive definition of problem structuring methods. Applying this lens to empirical episodes from a problem structuring intervention, eudaimonic and hedonic experiences of participants are made visible. In this way, the approach proposed in this paper contributes to an enriched understanding of how Soft OR methods work and enhances our conceptual repertoire for reflection on practice.

Integrating Problem Structuring Methods And Concept-Knowledge Theory For An Advanced Policy Design: Lessons From A Case Study In Cyprus

Evidence suggests that policies frequently fail due, on the one side, to a simplification of the uncertainty and complexity associated with stakeholders’ problem-understanding and, on the other side, due to the lack of methodologies for innovative generation of policy alternatives. This work describes a methodology based on the integration of Problem Structuring Methods and Concept-Knowledge Theory as a mean to transform ambiguity in problem-framing from a barrier to an enabling factor in collaborative settings. This methodology supports the generative design process for innovative and consensual policies. The methodology was implemented for a case of designing water management policy in the Republic of Cyprus.

Knowledge Models for Spatial Planning: Ecosystem Services Awareness in the New Plan of Bari (Italy)

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) arises as a formal outcome of historical processes of understanding and interpreting settlements as complex ecological systems. Because of a straightforward, bottom-up demand for environment enhancement, this concept increasingly occurs in discourses, in narratives, in the demands of common people, triggering a new urban environmental awareness. This is now often arising spontaneously in the protocols of participatory plan processes, especially when planning for the future of complex environments such as city areas. The present study tries to elicit reflections around the significance of ES issues awareness in the case study of Bari (Italy), which is experiencing an inclusive and participatory process of construction of shared knowledge for the new master plan. Starting from an initial campaign of civic walks (CWs) along the urban neighborhoods and a subsequent semi-structured interview to the community, the paper carries out comparative analyses using problem-structuring methods (PMs), in order to evaluate and reflect on community behaviors and expectations about ES. Then the paper ends by emphasizing the role of structured knowledge-raising approaches, as critical activities to enhance ecosystem awareness in planning settlements as complex ecological systems.

Performance Based Planning of complex urban social-ecological systems: The quest for sustainability through the promotion of resilience

Urban systems and human settlements have been growing exponentially in size and complexity in the last decades, defying current approaches to sustainable development. While urban planning has been identified as one of the main tools for attaining specific sustainability goals, consideration of cities as complex social-ecological and adaptive systems challenges traditional views, demanding new flexible and creative planning solutions. In this conceptual study, we analyse the capacity of performance-based planning (PBP) to provide sustainable solutions for urban planning problems. To do so, we examine the different conceptualizations of PBP in the current planning environment. To better define the challenges posed by the complexity of urban systems, we explore the similarities and common ground between PBP and other approaches such as adaptive planning and management (APM) and problem structuring methods (PSM). We analyse a case study, in Queensland (Australia), using SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to identify potential advantages and barriers to the implementation of PBP. Finally, we discuss the potential role of APM and PSM in PBP, the utility of an extended conceptualization of resilience as an important reference for its implementation and a potentially stronger role for planners in PBP as decision shapers.

Explore, Design and Act for Sustainability: A Participatory Planning Approach for Local Energy Sustainability

This paper focuses on the development of a participatory planning approach for local energy sustainability. The characteristics of a complex problem were reviewed to establish that the problem of sustainable energy at a local government level is complex. In order to better manage complex problems, the literature shows that soft operational research or problem-structuring methods need to be applied, and hence these methods were used as a starting point for developing a participatory planning approach. The requirements for a planning approach were elicited, namely that the approach must be participative and inclusive, holistic, simple and transparent. In addition, the approach must include the identification and assessment of risks as part of the deliberation process, the development of a realistic action plan must be attainable at the end of the stakeholder engagement, the approach must be dynamic, and should be formalised with clear institutional arrangements. A novel participatory approach, namely EDAS—to Explore, Design and Act for Sustainability—was then developed, applied, and evaluated as part of a case study with a local municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The insights are relevant not only for local governments, but for any institution on a journey towards sustainability.

Affordance-based problem structuring for workplace innovation

Problem structuring methods (PSMs) are operational research (OR) techniques commonly used to investigate and capture the multidimensional and complex nature of situations. This article proposes a novel PSM, termed the situational affordance structuring approach (SASA), for structuring work situations with a view to identifying opportunities for workplace innovation. SASA involves a series of sense-making principles to define work systems, source operational data, gather domain information, and represent situational knowledge using an abstraction-decomposition space (ADS) diagram. The ADS representation is premised on the theory of affordances which posits that objects and events possess inherent meaning as detected and exploited by users. The article intends to support the OR community by introducing the ADS as a novel approach to represent situations during problem structuring and presents findings from a case example involving the use of SASA for industrial design. The case involves an expert-led approach to unravelling perceived messiness in work situations with particular emphasis on representing the situational knowledge of the industrial domain using an ADS. SASA is a novel and unique PSM in two main ways: (i) it is inspired by ecological psychology with an emphasis on the affordances of work situations, and (ii) it uses the ADS as an artefact to illustrate the superior-subordinate arrangements associated with perceived messiness in structured (or semi-structured) work situations. The article also discusses the research implications, practical relevance of the study for the OR field, research limitations and possible future research directions.

Survey and analysis the critical success factors in the reverse flow inventory management process for returnable packaging

Goal: This study aimed to propose a procedure to survey of the Critical success Factors (CSF) in the reverse flow inventory management.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: A problem structuring method (PSM) combined with an approach for analysis of strategic map were used to facilitate and share information in a participatory process, considering all the stakeholder’s perspectives in order to identify and analyse the CSF. A case study of returnable packaging in the metallurgy and steel industry was conducted to validate the proposal.
 Results: The proposal was able to minimize conflicts and it facilitated the discussions on the CFSs surveyed. In addition, the decision makers have confirmed that their viewpoints were well represented in the strategic map, and they will use the CFS to evaluate the operations performance.
 Limitations of the investigation: Although the surveyed CSFs are specific to the presented case study, the procedure may be replicated in other organizations to identify their own CSF.
 Practical implications: The adequate survey of CSFs is fundamental because they have potential to explain the success or failure of a company, since CSFs impact directly on profits, processes performance and competitive environment.
 Originality/Value: The main contribution was to propose a methodology to survey critical success factors in the reverse flow environment adequate to messy, complex and unstructured situations, as well as this methodology was able to make a cyclic analysis and comprehension of the multiple perspectives, important in group decision maker environments.

Using FITradeoff in a ranking problem for supplier selection under TBL performance evaluation: An application in the textile sector

Paper aims This paper proposes a multicriteria decision approach for supplier selection using a multicriteria method based on Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff) elicitation process, within the ranking problematic perspective. Originality This paper develops a framework integrating the results of VFT (Value-Focused Thinking) method with the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) dimension and the veto concept to improve the decision process within a multicriteria perspective. Research method This study provides a case study in a textile company in Campina Grande, northeast Brazil using data mainly from semi-structured interviews. It also employs quantitative techniques based on problem structuring methods and multicriteria decision making. Main findings The VFT helped in identifying criteria that are not yet explored by the company, and in structuring the decision problem of how incorporate and balance the TBL dimensions. The recommendation obtained by using the proposed multicriteria decision framework is different from the group of suppliers currently used by the company. Implications for theory and practice Clarify and identify different objectives and to specify the consequences of a decision problem, allowing the Decision Maker (DM) to obtain and prioritize an economic and sustainable solution for a given number of suppliers to be selected, saving his time and effort.