1. Briefly, about ‘prose + structural graphics’ (p+sg)

2. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation2 To use OPMS effectively, we need to explain a small enhancement to the language we conventionally use: we call this enhancement ‘prose + structural graphics’ The structural graphics clarify and detail the relationships between the elements in a complex system (which are generally left ambiguous in conventional prose).

3. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation3 “Idea 1 leads to Idea 2” Prose Equivalent A ‘Language’ to discuss complex issues: ‘prose + structural graphics’ (p+sg) Idea 1 Idea 2 So what is/are ‘structural graphics’? relationship(s) …the ideas - and the relationship(s) between the ideas, shown as meaningful arrow(s)… Here’s a simple structural graphic: = ‘prose + structural graphics’ The picture and its translation (along with any other explanation required) constitute ‘prose + structural graphics’ (p+sg) We repeat: the structural graphics clarify and detail the relationships between the elements in a complex system that are generally left ambiguous in conventional prose. Structural Graphic leads to The arrow(s) stand for specific relationship(s), e.g.:“leads to” (in this case) And it is this simple idea that can be built on to enable us to tackle the most complex of problems and issues much more effectively than can be done when we think and discuss in the conventional way, through ‘prose’ The ideas that people get while they consider or work on issues in the system are precisely those that should go into the ‘design of the desired system’! Our OPMS process ensures that this happens as a matter of course.

4. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation4 These structural graphics can come in various shapes and forms, as (very roughly!) illustrated in the next slides… A: ‘Informal’ structural graphics

5. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation5 ABCEFG Informal structural graphics The meaning of the arrows is crucial for effectively using ‘p+sg’

6. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation6 ABCEFGHIJ These structural graphics have the useful property of helping significantly to clarify the minds of people who use them! In each case, the ‘elements’ of the system under consideration may be shown in boxes or ovals, and the ‘relationships’ between the elements are shown as lines or arrows linking up the boxes/ovals... For optimum benefit in problem-solving, the relationships should always be specified in detail! (as illustrated…) More informal structural gaphics Understanding the relationships between elements of the system is key to truly understanding the system! “helps accomplish” “may prevent”/ “hinder” Try it out… even your informal ‘doodles’ and sketches that you make as structural graphics can significantly enhance your understanding of the systems you live in and work in! (You just need to specify the relationships clearly!)

7. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation7 These structural graphics, when allied with the conventional prose that you already know how to use well, constitute a very powerful ‘extension’ to our normal way of thinking and discussing – we call the combination ‘prose + structural graphics’ (p+sg) OPMS software will soon be including practical means to enable you to make ‘sketches’ of these structural graphics. Until such time as our ‘Sketchpad’ modules are ready within OPMS – try out the ‘Free Mind’ and ‘Mind Mapper’ software, which offer some limited sketching facilities (links are provided here and at section on ‘Structural Graphics’)… these useful software packages do not provide the full power of ‘OPMS Thinking’, but they are useful for a start.‘Free Mind’ ‘Mind Mapper’ ‘Structural Graphics’)… What we have just shown are the ‘informal’ structural graphics associated with the OPMS. We now show some of the formal structural graphics associated with OPMS, realised through the Warfield tools for modeling in complex systems (‘Warfield Graphics’) Click here for: Warfield Graphics ‘Prose + Structural Graphics’ Click here for Contents Page

8. (c) GS ChandyOPMS General Presentation8 One very important type of ‘formal’ (and entirely rigorous) structural graphics is John N. Warfield’s powerful modeling tool, ‘Interpretive Structural Modeling’ (ISM): it enables us to clarify our understanding of the structure of the systems under consideration… Next, we shall illustrate the development of an Interpretive Structural Model as an important step in creating an OPMS ‘Warfield Graphics’ ‘Formal’ structural graphics =