OZ 2010/1-2

6 ORGANIZACIJA ZNANJA 2010, LETN. 15, ZV. 1 – 2 original environment. In modelling the development of new technologies we use the concept ‘process’ as the level of detail at which the behaviour is to be examined. There are many thousands of processes carried out in the development of new technologies. We cannot examine the behaviour of these processes, instead we decide to model these processes based on our knowledge about technology development processes and use the model to discover patterns of behaviour that assure the desired output of the technology development and also the patterns that prevent it. In building the model, we use concepts (e.g. vision, existing situation, desired situation, problem) to set the basic semantics of the model. This enables us to develop comprehension of the model and its application in realistic situations. Granulation and patterns of behaviour lead us to an abstract model. Discoveries in the abstract model cannot be automatically applied to real processes. A match between the abstract and real behaviour should be searched for. If a satisfying match is found, the abstract behaviour can be used as a template of real behaviour. The model is built to provide patterns of behaviour that assure the desired output. We comprehend any difference between actual and desired behaviour that does not result in the desired situation as a problem. As a consequence any discovered problem is also a quality problem. Searching the model for the patterns of behaviour that can create problems is not sensitive to different classes of problems (e.g. design problem, ethical problem) but makes it possible to discover all problems that can arise in the model (Figure 2.1). In discovering patterns that can create problems we draw from knowledge about technology development processes. Figure 2.1: Searching the model for a pattern that can create problem To determine to which class of problems a discovered problem belongs, we use decision patterns. Let us demonstrate how this approach works in discovering ethical problems. By applying: 1. the relation that an ethical problem is also a problem and 2. the decision patterns for identifying ethical problems in the set of all discovered problems we can identify all the ethical problems in the set of discovered problems (Figure 2.2). Figure 2.2: Ethical problem identification When a problem is discovered and identified we should track it back to its place of origin. The process where the problem originated and also the processes that let the problem passed through them undiscovered should then be revised. This is used as a foundation on which problem removal should be developed. Problems, discovered in an abstract model, are not actual problems but generalised ones. Amatch between the generalised and real problem should be searched for. If a satisfying match is found, the generalised problem solution can be used as a template in solving the real problem. 3. VISION DEVELOPMENT AND PROBLEM DEFINITION Each development achievement is based on problematization of an existing situation. The problematization usually leads towards a vision of a desired situation that is at least partly free of problematic patterns of the existing situation. The difference between the desired and existing situation is a problem situation, which is the basis of problem definition (Figure 3.1). The problem is then conditioned by the vision. Figure 3.1: Vision development and problem definition Consequences 3. There are as many problems over an existing situation as there are visions. 4. In such a model we cannot comprehend the problem as an objective category. The problem is conditioned by the vision. Maksimiljan Gerkeš: MODELLING OF PROCESSES – TEHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT