ENVISAGED PRODUCTS

Visualizing Relationship Networks: International, Interdisciplinary, Intersectoral (Part #2)

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From a computer programming perspective, the following products involve the development of many modules and functions which are common to several of the products, if not all.

1.Atlas of International Relationship Networks (see Annex 1 and 2)

Printed volume based on databases for the Yearbook of International Organizations and the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential. The volume would consist of maps of networks of relationships between organizations, between social and other problems, and between organizations and problems. Its purpose would be to provide an overview of large quantities of information to provide a context for more specific policy decisions.

2.Network mapping software (see Annex 3 to 11)

Software package designed to facilitate collection and display of data on networks of all kinds. The concern is to facilitate interaction with information on networks, avoiding the inadequacies and limitations of networks held in conventional relational databases where any global view of the network patterns is virtually impossible. The aim is to facilitate a network action strategy. Specific uses of such a package can be seen in: documenting complex networks of holding companies; tracking crime networks; mapping food chains and webs in ecosystems; citation analysis displays; social network maps; mind-mapping. 

3.Concept tracking software (see Annex 12 to 14)

Software package designed to facilitate the collection and display of data on the evolving concept structure of a conference. The concern is to provide participants with an overview of the concept structure within ongoing discussions are embedded and which they are endeavouring to address, to extend, to challenge and to modify. This is seen as an integrating tool for complex conferences exploring a wide range of interrelated themes. The package is seen as providing concept 'scaffolding' to hold conflicting perspectives in juxtaposition within a turbulent conference environment until linking concepts can be provided.

4.Structural outliner software (see Annex 15)

Software package designed to facilitate integration of a pattern of concepts. The emphasis is on providing the user with a thinking aid that can allow sets of concepts to be held and explored in a mode that stresses visual structures and comprehensibility. It is to some extent a structural analogue to the conventional text outliners. It is however much more closely linked to pattern databases of concept sets, whether pre-supplied or developed by the user.