A methodology for strategic plan modelling

This paper describes a methodology aimed at the resolution of the large-scale project planning problem. The methodology concentrates on the system identification problem. This is viewed as a means of portraying the large-scale project as a human activity system. With this type of system the essential features which need to be modelled are those of mission statement and infrastructure. Recognising that the means by which successful large-scale project management is carried out are negotiation and collaboration, and that these require a different modelling paradigm to that used for thermodynamic systems, the methodology embodies a semantic approach, somewhat akin to that found in artificial intelligence. Using a type of conceptual graph to characterise the components of large-scale project design such as mission statement, management structure support, partner involvement, and project work-package structure, the paper outlines a methodology for the interpretation of these graphs. The planning problem is defined as the determination (dynamically) of that mission statement and supporting infrastructure which best serves partners´ interests in order to achieve those (high level) deliverables for which the project was originally conceived. A description of the application of this methodology to a real large-scale project is included