PROBLEM (Well structured)
Charles François (2004). PROBLEM (Well structured), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 2640.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2640 ▶ |
| Object type | Methodology or model |
According to A. NEWELL: “A problem is well structured to the extent that it satisfies the following criteria:
- “1. It can be described in terms of numerical variables, scalar and vector quantities.
- “2. The goals attained can be specified in terms of a well defined objective function — for example, the maximization of profit or the minimization of cost.
- “3. There exist computational routines (algorithms) that permit the solution to be found and stated in actual numerical terms” (as quoted by J.van GIGCH, 1978, p.379).
This stand is obviously refering to quite simple business, or economic, or technical problems where abstraction can be made of human (and possibly qualitative ecological) factors.
van GIGCH observes “… ill-structured problems are amenable only to solutions by heuristics”.
See also
Problem (ill structured)