BRANCHING
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 336 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
A graphical way to represent hierarchical organization in space or bifurcating evolution in time.
Branching as a model started from the “tree” metaphor. But a real tree is no metaphor and its main and secondary branches represent stages in its growth. Besides, its roots are also branching.
Of course, organizations where one commander or manager has control over 10 executive officers, each of whom in his turn commands and/or overseas a large group of people do exist, and can be represented by a branching diagram. So is a sequence of various simultaneous operations, modelled in a flow graph in time.
Branching thus corresponds to a well specified type of order within systems and/or processes. It is now formally incorporated in theory of graphs