ISM step-by-step assistant

This tool guides you through ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling) step by step so newcomers can proceed without getting lost.
Follow the sequence: (1) enter elements → (2) build the SSIM → (3) compute reachability & levels → (4) render the final graph. You can return to any step at any time. All processing happens in your browser (nothing is uploaded).

Step 1: Enter elements (factors)

Enter one element (factor) per line. The order becomes the ID (1..n). We recommend 3–150 items.

Element list

Blank lines are ignored. You can edit the list at any time.

Preview (input order = ID)

Step 2: SSIM (Structural Self-Interaction Matrix)

Describe the relationship between two elements (i, j) in the upper-triangular matrix.
Symbols: V = i influences j (i→j) / A = j influences i (j→i) / X = mutual influence (i↔j) / O = no relation.
Click to cycle V → A → X → O → blank. Keyboard shortcuts V/A/X/O are also available.

( Pair: - / - )

(Click V if i influences j, A if j influences i, X for mutual influence, or O for none.)

Edit the upper triangular matrix directly (click to toggle)

0/0 filled

Step 3: Reachability and level derivation

Build the initial reachability matrix (IRM) from the SSIM and compute the transitive closure via Web Worker (handles sparse/dense cases automatically).
Levels (top → bottom) are derived automatically from R(i) (reach set) and A(i) (antecedent set). Nothing to edit here—once you review the info, scroll down and click “Next (Directed graph)” to see the result.

Initial reachability (IRM)

Transitive closure (final reachability)

Level decomposition (top → bottom)

Step 4: Final directed graph (ISM hierarchy)

Browser rendering of large directed graphs is limited. Download the SVG and view it in a tool that handles zooming well (PowerPoint, etc.).

Show IDs (numbers) Transitive reduction (remove redundant edges when intermediate levels exist)

How to use

Elements: In Step 1 enter one element per line; order defines the IDs (1..n).
SSIM: In Step 2 choose V/A/X/O for each pair. You can also edit the upper-triangular matrix directly.
Reachability: Step 3 computes SSIM → IRM → transitive closure quickly and shows level decomposition automatically.
Graph: Step 4 draws the hierarchical layout. With Transitive reduction on, edges explained by intermediate levels are omitted. You can export results as JSON/CSV/SVG.