VISUAL Q-ANALYSIS (I): A CASE STUDY OF FUTURE COMPUTER SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN

Abstract

A novel method called Visual Q-Analysis (VQA) is proposed to analyze structures of complex systems, where the structure of a system is represented by simplicial complex in topology and analyzed in terms of q-connectivity. Two different types of hierarchies, Q-hierarchy and F-hierarchy, are introduced and algorithms are given. In order to draw these hierarchies in a visually understandable form, SKETCH system is used. By inspecting the combination of the drawings and measures such as Q-vector, eccentricity and concentricity we can grasp readily the structural information embedded in the complex. This method is applied to a structural study of technological development of future computers of Japan in terms of relationships between social needs and technological requirements (seeds). Results of the application not only show the effectiveness of VQA to support in planning technological developments but also suggest wide applicabilities of VQA to various other fields.