what-when-how
In Depth Tutorials and Information
2.2.3.5.1 CLIOS Stage 1: Representation
he representation stage aids in the understanding of the complete CLIOS system
by examining the structures and behaviors of the physical subsystems and institu-
tional sphere and the interactions between them. he CLIOS process usually uses
a combination of diagrams and text to capture the critical aspects of the CLIOS
system and present them in an easy-to-comprehend format. When the CLIOS pro-
cess is carried out jointly by a group of analysts, decision makers, and stakeholders,
the representation stage is used to create a common understanding of the system
among these actors (Mostashari and Sussman, 2005).
2.2.3.5.1.1 CLIOS Step 1: Describe CLIOS System: Checklists and
Preliminary Goal Identification —
In defining the system that pertains to the
problem, we first create several checklists to serve as a high-level examination of the
CLIOS system. he lists should address the question “What is it about the system
that makes it interesting, and what major systems issues/goals are we interested in?”
(Puccia and Levins, 1985).
he first of the checklists is the characteristics checklist that may relate to
(a) the temporal and geographic scale of the system, (b) the core technologies
and systems, (c) the natural physical conditions that affect or are affected by the
system, (d) the key economic and market factors, (e) important social or political
factors or controversies related to the system, and (f ) the historical development
and context of the CLIOS system. he second checklist, essentially a SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites, and hreats analysis, captures opportuni-
ties, issues, and challenges—those aspects of the CLIOS System for which we
may seek constructive improvements through strategic alternatives in Stage 2.
Finally, in the third checklist, we identify preliminary system goals and require-
ments that often relate to the opportunities, issues, and challenges found in the
second checklist. To compile the lists, one can draw upon a wide range of sources:
academic articles and books, popular press, reports published by the government,
business, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), discussions/interviews with
stakeholders, or personal expertise or experience with the system, etc.
2.2.3.5.1.2 CLIOS Step 2: Identify Subsystems in the Physical Domain
and Actor Groups on the Institutional Sphere —
To outline the general struc-
ture of the CLIOS system, we determine (a) which major subsystems make up
the physical domain of the CLIOS System, (b) who the main actor groups are on
the institutional sphere, and (c) how they relate to one another on a macro level
(Mostashari and Sussman, 2009).
ForthePhysicalDomain
: Here we parse the physical domain (or system) into
subsystems, map out the structure of those subsystems (which can be envisioned
as layers), and inally identify the key linkages between the subsystems. his is a
difficult process but worthwhile in that many of the insights into the structure and
