A hypermedia-based Delphi tool for knowledge acquisition in model building

The traditional Delphi method has been used for many years as an approach for knowledge capture and consensus building in a variety of social and managerial areas, including model building. This paper describes research into the development and initial application of a computerized version of the Delphi method to assist model building in situations where the domain experts to be consulted are large in number and geographically dispersed. Specifically, it has been developed to assist System Dynamics model building, where the purpose of the modelling was to help with the design and assessment of computer-based information systems. The features of a Hypermedia-based Delphi system, which was developed for the Apple Macintosh are described and the results of its application to a modelling exercise are discussed, with particular emphasis on its ability to create consensus influence diagrams and graphical relationships.