A box structured methodology for solving business problems

A box-structured methodology for solving business problems using available management science techniques is proposed. The procedure is free of bias caused by the choice of solution technique. Abstraction levels are developed for available management-science solution techniques. A mapping algorithm is defined that identifies what technique, or path of techniques, can be used to solve the problem. The abstraction categories are used in the decision process to narrow the search space of applicable techniques. The box-structured methodology supports the user evaluation of alternative solution techniques and provides a procedure for implementing the solution within an information system.<>