A MATRIX TECHNIQUE FOR DESCRIBING REPORT DEPENDENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
Abstract
An information system is regarded as a set of interdependent reports together with the relations among them. Previous uses of matrices for describing the dependence of the output reports of such a system on the inputs are extended. Specific matrix representations giving the stage and multiplicity of the dependence of each report on every other are exhibited. It is also shown that an information system that is decomposable into disconnected subsystems corresponds to a matrix that can be partitioned into a diagonal matrix of square submatrices, one submatrix for each subsystem. The properties of each subsystem may be analyzed by means of its corresponding submatrix in the same way that the properties of the composite system are analyzed by means of the composite matrix. As an illustration, the technique is applied to a portion of one of the Army information systems: The Unit Readiness Reporting System, Active Army. Other related work is referenced and discussed briefly. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0672090
Entities
People
- Joseph O. Harrison Jr.