Systematic heuristics

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Systematic heuristics belonged to the philosophy research area in the GDR and had the aim of rationalizing technical-scientific research . The systematic heuristic is a sign of philosophy turning to methodology . It was initially designed as a method for constructive technological development work and expanded with the aim of making the mental processing of problem processing processes more effective.

In the original summary by Jürgen Albrecht it says

“The systematic heuristic is a technology of intellectual work . It is a method system for coping with problem-solving processes in the fields of science and technology. The principle of systematic heuristics is to deal with recurring problem classes using methods that have proven effective in the past. These methods are called programs and are made available in a program library for reuse. The method of problem solving is prescribed by the main program of the systematic heuristics and specified for the respective task. The system-theoretical working method regulates the working methods and the conceptual apparatus of the systematic heuristic. "
Fig. 1: Structure of the SH program library, 1970
Fig. 2: Structure of the SH program library, 1990

Historical summary

From 1964 to 1966 Johannes Müller analyzed the methodological approach of natural scientists and engineers at the Technical University of Karl-Marx-Stadt (Chemnitz). This work was included in his habilitation thesis (1966). Building on this, he developed the concept of "systematic heuristics" in 1967 and from 1968 headed the working group "Methodology of Technical Sciences" at the TH Karl-Marx-Stadt . In the course of this work he was suspected of ' de-ideologizing Marxist-Leninist philosophy' at the university . In Bärenstein (Erzgebirge) from 1967 to 1973 courses on systematic heuristics were held for researchers and developers in large industrial companies in the GDR . The TH Karl-Marx-Stadt was responsible for these events.

The systematic heuristic was institutionalized in 1969 through direct intervention by Walter Ulbricht . The methodology working group was integrated into the department of systematic heuristics in autumn of that year and was therefore no longer part of the TH Karl-Marx-Stadt. The SH department, based in Karl-Marx-Stadt, became part of the Academy for Marxist-Leninist Organizational Science (MLO Academy, Berlin). The SH department worked under the direction of Johannes Müller with 25 scientists and engineers from universities, technical colleges and the GDR industry. Their task was to introduce the systematic heuristics in four major research centers in the GDR, to increase the efficiency of the scientific work and to train employees methodically in research and development.

From 1969 to 1972, under the guidance of employees in the SH department, systematic heuristics were successfully applied in practice in numerous development projects in mechanical engineering, the chemical industry ( Leuna and Schwedt ) and electronics ( Robotron ). The Central Institute for Welding Technology in Halle / Saale (ZIS, W. Gilde) was a methodological 'test field' for Johannes Müller, which he supervised until 1986. The methodological experiences were documented and used for the detailing of the program library of the systematic heuristics.

After the 8th party congress of the SED in 1971, the SED Politburo decided in October to dissolve the MLO Academy and with it the SH and Operation Research departments. Walter Ulbricht was replaced by Erich Honecker in May 1971 . Now Kurt Hager (ideology) prevailed against Günter Mittag (economy). The systematic heuristics department was declared dissolved by the SED at the end of February 1972 . At the same time, the employees of the SH department wrote down their accumulated knowledge in the third edition of the program library. The porting of the program library of the systematic heuristics to the computer could not be started.

Figure 3: Program A2 - specification of tasks
Figure 4: Main program of systematic heuristics

Components of the systematic heuristic

The systematic heuristic consists of a program library , the main program and the systems science working method (SWAW).

The heuristic procedures ( programs ) that have proven effective in previous problem-solving processes are collected and made available for reuse in the program library . Figure 1 shows the structure of the systematic heuristic program library in 1970. This program library was used for industrial testing and application of the systematic heuristic between 1968 and 1972.

Figure 2 shows the expanded structure of the program library that Johannes Müller describes in his monograph . It has not yet been implemented, although any CAD system would work more effectively with it. A detailed analysis of the methodological importance of systematic heuristics for today's construction science does not exist.

Heuristic programs are methodical work instructions. They can be used more or less universally , depending on their technical specifications . Figure 3 shows the example of program A2, specification of tasks. This heuristic program is extremely useful when starting any problem-solving process. A2 is one of the most effective programs in systematic heuristics.

The main program of systematic heuristics (Fig. 4) represents the working regime that is a prerequisite for the effective use of systematic heuristics. It describes the basic problem-solving process that runs in every research department. When using systematic heuristics, however, the more precise specification of the task, the methodical consideration of the shift and step transitions, the constant query of the information store and the analysis of the methodological gain required after the work is completed are decisive before the actual work begins . He expanded in the form of new, u. U. very specific programs the program library.

The systems science working method (SWAW) is part of the working regime of systematic heuristics (see main program). It specifies that in the problem-solving process all procedures, means of representation and work as well as the terms of system technology are used. Every problem is seen as a system and every problem-solving process is seen as a procedure within a system. The layer and step transition was newly introduced in this systematic thinking by the systematic heuristic. It is methodologically of very essential importance and also has a philosophical component.

Experience and knowledge

In the course of the elaboration and application of the systematic heuristic, essential knowledge and insights about human thinking have been gained in the past decades:

The competence and ultimately the result of a problem solver depend to a large extent on the extent to which he has methods and mental structures that are invariant - albeit flexibly - applicable to extensive classes of tasks in his profession. They guarantee a quick perspective and enable the implementation of his wealth of experience and knowledge. According to all observations, however, an engineer unconsciously acquires, saves and manages such structures , and he also unconsciously uses them in normal operation to plan and control his work process . Only when his technical and methodological competence is exceeded does he switch from normal operation to rational operation and consciously develop new procedures and methods.

With the application of the systematic heuristic in the GDR industry it could be proven: If researchers and developers work with the systematic heuristic through a special work regime and additionally guided by methodology specialists, they are actually more effective than before. However, they avoid rational operation for as long as possible, because it requires significantly more mental effort than is necessary for normal operation. For example, individual problem solvers can be qualified without extensive organization through inventor schools . With the complex systematic heuristics, on the other hand, the greatest effects are achieved if the main program of the SH and the systems science working method (SWAW) are introduced in large research areas.

See also

literature

  • Rolf Frick: Design Methodology - An Introduction for Students. University of Industrial Design, Halle / Saale 1982.
  • Peter Koch: Working out and specifying tasks. In: Basics of scientific and technical creativity in research and development processes. Volume 6, Building Academy of the GDR, Berlin 1986.
  • Johannes Müller : Program library for systematic heuristics for natural scientists and engineers (= technical-scientific treatises of the ZIS. No. 69). Central Institute for Welding Technology (ZIS), Halle / Saale 1970.
  • Johannes Müller: Basics of systematic heuristics. Dietz, Berlin 1970.
  • Johannes Müller, Peter Koch (eds.) And 31 authors: program library for systematic heuristics for natural scientists and engineers. (= Technical and scientific treatises by ZIS. Nos. 97, 98 and 99). 3rd edition, Central Institute for Welding Technology (ZIS), Halle / Saale 1973.
  • Johannes Müller: Working methods in technical sciences - systematics, heuristics, creativity. Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg / New York 1990, ISBN 3-540-51661-1 .
  • Johannes Müller: Acceptance problems in industry about causes and ways to overcome them. In: Gerhard Pahl (ed.): Psychological and pedagogical questions in methodical construction. Verlag TÜV-Rheinland, Cologne 1994, pp. 247-266.
  • Klaus Stanke: Action-oriented creativity techniques - for youngsters, beginners and professionals with the BONSAI system of creativity techniques. trafo-Verlagsgruppe, Berlin 2011, ISBN 978-3-86464-001-8 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ehreniried Lohr: Systematic heuristic - a contribution to streamlining the technical and scientific research . In: German magazine for philosophy . tape 17 , no. 3 , 1969, p. 355-363 ( degruyter.com [PDF]). doi : 10.1524 / dzph.1969.17.3.355 (currently unavailable)
  2. ^ A b Hans-Christoph Rauh, Peter Ruben: Attempts at thinking: GDR philosophy in the 60s . Ch. Links Verlag, 2005, ISBN 3-86153-359-6 , p. 533 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
  3. ↑ Jürgen Albrecht: What is systematic heuristic? June 19, 2004, accessed September 2014.
  4. ↑ a b Johannes Müller (Ed.): Program library for systematic heuristics for natural scientists and engineers (= technical and scientific treatises of the ZIS. No. 69). Central Institute for Welding Technology (ZIS), Halle / Saale 1970.
  5. ↑ Johannes Müller: Fundamentals of Systematic Heuristics (= writings on socialist economic management ) Dietz, Berlin 1970.
  6. ↑ Johannes Müller, Peter Koch (eds.) And 31 authors: Program library for systematic heuristics for natural scientists and engineers. (= Technical and scientific treatises by ZIS. Nos. 97, 98 and 99). 3rd edition, Central Institute for Welding Technology (ZIS), Halle / Saale 1973.
  7. ↑ Johannes Müller: Program library for systematic heuristics for natural scientists and engineers (= technical-scientific treatises of the ZIS. No. 69). Central Institute for Welding Technology (ZIS), Halle / Saale 1970.
  8. ↑ Johannes Müller: Working methods of technical sciences - systematics, heuristics, creativity. Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg / New York 1990, ISBN 3-540-51661-1 .
  9. ↑ Johannes Müller: Working methods of technical sciences - systematics, heuristics, creativity. Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg / New York 1990, ISBN 3-540-51661-1 , pp. 142-144.
  10. ↑ Natural robots. Retrieved October 28, 2014 .
  11. ↑ Johannes Müller: Acceptance problems in industry about causes and ways to overcome them. In: Gerhard Pahl (ed.): Psychological and pedagogical questions in methodical construction. Verlag TÜV-Rheinland, Cologne 1994, pp. 247-266.