GISMO: A Visual Problem-Structuring and Knowledge-Organization Tool

A visual problem-structuring and knowledge-organization technique applicable to complex unstructured decisionmaking situations is presented. The role of images in the human cognitive process is briefly examined to serve as a basis for a method that enables individuals to apply the power of the computer to problem structuring in a manner more closely resembling the natural though process. Five phases of interactive problem structuring/knowledge organization are described: 1) specifying the problem elenments, 2) specifying the relationship between the elements, 3) specifying the strengths and time delays for these relationships, 4) constructing a visual representation of the problem called a digraph, and 5) refining and working directly with the digraph. The effects on decision makers of the visual problem structuring tool are discussed.