Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)

The art of Management is regarded as glorified common sense by many stalwarts of our field. An apt example could be the ISM to prove this theory. ISM or Interpretive structural modeling is an effective methodology for dealing with complex issues. In fact, ISM is a simple and practical tool that draws upon many attributes of how the human brain works. Man has over the centuries tried to understand how nature works and tried simulating them into tools, techniques and processes to capture the best practices. ISM is also such an attempt to capture the inner brain workings (logic) when faced with a complex issue and how it can be broken down into a map of relationship between the elements.

ISM is defined by Porter, et al., 1980 as “a directed graphic representation of a particular relationship among all pairs of elements in a set to aid in structuring a complex issue area”

ISM was first proposed by J. Warfield at the Battelle Memorial Institute in the period 1971-73 and over the past 25 years, this model has a phenomenal success in understanding complex situations and finding solutions to complex problems. ISM is a computer assisted learning process which helps us understand the complex relationship between various entities. ISM can be used by individuals as well as by groups in an organization. ISM is so simple that one can use this model to any situation and get a clearer understanding of the issue irrespective of the domain under study.

ISM is used to structure the elements (say, objectives) of a given complex issue, using this model we can understand how various elements are interrelated and hence helps us structure them in a meaningful manner. This structuring helps us solve the issue by solving the various smaller elements in a bottom up approach. The relationship between the elements is stored in a matrix framework and then converted into a graph with the help of a computer.

One major disadvantage of this method is that once the user understands the simple process and then there is a possibility of manipulating the relationship between elements. Under such a scenario Ism would not help us understand the relationship, rather acts as a proof of our understanding of the relationship. Hence ISM is as good as the user using it and not foolproof by itself. Understanding the process behind ISM will help the user to simply the process and gain more synergy with the system, this increases the efficiency as we can solve issues faster and with clearer understanding. Understanding ISM process helps the user develop strategic planning concepts this is one of the proximal benefits of this tool. But blindly believing on the system without understanding the process is lengthy and inefficient but has the advantage of unbiased answer.

Matrix:



Graph:



ISM has gained in popularity over the past few years only, this is due to the fact that ISM is such an powerful tool that consultants did not want their core competency to be lost and hence they guarded this method from public purview. Another reason could be that ISM is an evolving model; earlier versions of ISM software make the relationship map look like a set of levels or clusters of ideas which infer a relationship of higher to lower levels, which is ok if all one needs to do is prioritize or categorize ideas. The real value of ISM lies in the paths or threads of thought that the ideas form in the relationship map.

The software is currently available free of charge to students in the following site: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/t-iasis/ism/ism.htm (DOS Version).

Strengths of ISM Model:

• problem definition and bounding
• impact evaluation
• identifying relationships among policy sectors

Weakness of ISM model:

• It identifies static relationships (i.e., structural rather than dynamic relationships).
• It is qualitative, not quantitative.
• It is simplistic, and not very powerful.

Flowchart of ISM :



References:

• Concept Star (n.d.). Retrieved September 09, 2008, from http://www.sorach.com/ism.html
• Jim Flowers (n.d.). Interpretive Structural Modeling, Retrieved September 09, 2008, from http://www.bsu.edu/web/jcflowers1/rlo/tainterpretive.htm
• Warfield, J.N. (2004). Interpretive Structural Modeling software. Retrieved September 09, 2008, from http://www.jnwarfield.com/ism.htm

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