Structured thinking-integrated aids for structured thinking and strategic problem-solving

A structured thinking approach for dealing with complex mess-problems is outlined. The approach leads to a methodology with a powerful set of intellectual tools which is called medium systems methodology as it fills the gap between hard and soft systems methodologies. Complex mess-problems are called strategic problems as they involve thought-experiments in which stratagems are sought that may resolve a present complex situation at some time in the future. Such problems have a common structure that is context free. The gap between hard and soft methodologies is explored in the context of strategic problems, and it is suggested that a set of techniques based on graph theory and structural modelling can be integrated and used to fill the gap, so that there is a continuum of methodology from soft to hard. The resulting medium systems methodology is able to support many of the phases in a strategic problem. The power of the methodology is fully realized when delivered by a computer workstation with an appropriate screen and software