Topology of large-scale engineering problem-solving networks

Abstract

The last few years have led to a series of discoveries that uncovered statistical properties, which are common to a variety of diverse real-world social, information, biological and technological networks. The goal of the present paper is to investigate, for the first time, the statistical properties of networks of people engaged in distributed problem solving and discuss their significance. We show that problem-solving networks have properties (sparseness, small world, scaling regimes) that are like those displayed by information, biological and technological networks. More importantly, we demonstrate a previously unreported difference between the distribution of incoming and outgoing links of directed networks. Specifically, the incoming link distributions have sharp cutoffs that are substantially lower than those of the outgoing link distributions (sometimes the outgoing cutoffs are not even present). This asymmetry can be explained by considering the dynamical interactions that take place in distributed problem solving, and may be related to differences between the actor's capacity to process information provided by others and the actor's capacity to transmit information over the network. We conjecture that the asymmetric link distribution is likely to hold for other human or non-human directed networks as well when nodes represent information processing/using elements.

From centrality to temporary fame: Dynamic centrality in complex networks

“…Counter to the perspective that nodes have particular rolesKey Words: social networks, time-based networks, dynamic hubs, multiscale networks, turbulent networks R ecent advances have demonstrated that the study of universal properties in physical systems may be extended to complex networks in biological and social systems [1][2][3][4][5]. This has opened the study of such networks to experimental and theoretical characterization of properties and mechanisms of formation.…”

Dealing with project complexity by matrix-based propagation modelling for project risk analysis

“…Some network centrality measures have been applied, for the first time, to large-scale engineering design and product development networks by Braha and Bar-Yam in (Braha and Bar-Yam 2004b, Braha and Bar-Yam 2004a, Braha et al 2006, Braha and Bar-Yam 2007. These works have provided two interesting results.…”

The topology and dynamics of complex man- made systems

“…Recent studies [1][2][3] provide the first empirical and theoretical explanation for the patterning of information flows in large-scale project environments. Information flow data of four large-scale projects was reconstructed by detailed field study in several major companies in the US and UK [1][2][3].…”

“…, and a set of lines } ,..., , { 2 1 L e e e E = between pairs of nodes. If the line between two nodes is non-directional, then the network is called undirected; otherwise, the network is called directed.…”

“…Information flow data of four large-scale projects was reconstructed by detailed field study in several major companies in the US and UK [1][2][3]. Each project includes hundreds of tasks connected to each other by an intricate web of information forming a highly complex network of activities forming the 'information highway' of the project.…”