Systems engineering modeling approach to problem definition, analysis and solution: A method to document, archive, and retrieve problem analyses to inform next steps

(1)    Introduction

1. Solving Public Health problems involves investigators from multiple disciplines working together over long periods of time.  A critical issue with this process is loss of knowledge developed during meeting sessions making it difficult to recall and use information to continue the problem solving process when time has elapsed.
2. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate how to use meeting notes to visually/graphically capture in-depth thinking of investigators to model, document, archive, retrieve and use content to inform next steps after time has lapsed.

(2)    Methods

1. Using systems and public health methods, the development of conceptual graphical models of reasoning and collaboration among experts can be captured for problem solving and to continue the modeling and analysis process by using notes and artifacts to produce visuals and graphics. Notes from meeting sessions are used to produce graphs that show content, relationships and the rationale for decisions.

(3)    Results

1. These detailed visual/graphical models:  1) make it easy to find gaps in logical problem solving during the development of grant applications and projects; 2) provides a means for efficiently and effectively continuing work after time has lapsed between, a) grant submission,  funding or resubmission, and b) project completion and writing manuscripts/ reports/ abstracts, etc.; and 3) facilitates communication with stakeholders since the information is visual.

(4)    Discussion

1. Public health problem solving will be enhanced by methods that facilitate efficient and effective modeling, documentation, archiving and retrieval of detailed progress information that can be used to inform next steps.