Towards computer-assisted qualitative analysis for model development: theory and algorithms

The modeling process involves a qualitative analysis, also referred to as problem structuring, of the problem prior to formulation of the mathematical representation. Current modeling systems provide limited support to modelers in the qualitative analysis. The author develops hypotheses about qualitative analysis for model development, specifically optimization models. His hypothesis views qualitative analysis as a process that includes, among other things, identification of complete, consistent, and relevant elements of a problem. The hypothesis has been implemented as a prototype system that can be part of integrated modeling environments to support the modeling process. Although the hypothesis, and the algorithms used in the current system are domain-independent, the author illustrates them with production planning examples