understanding   impact networks	Cross-impact balance analysis
Home     Cross-impact balance analysis     Approach     CIB algorithm     Project references     Publications     Guidelines     ScenarioWizard     Contact     ZIRN	CIB - Cross-impact balance analysis About CIB The cross-impact balance analysis (CIB) is a method for analysing impact networks. The method uses qualitative insights into the relations between the factors of an impact network in order to construct consistent images of the network behaviour. The CIB method is based on a discipline independent, qualitatively oriented concept of analysis which promotes the application of the method in interdisciplinary problems; an expert discourse approach which allows to collect, organize, and to judge broad (as well as dissenting) expert knowledge to complex, multidisciplinary topics in a structured way; a proven algorithm for the evaluation of the collected information and for conducting a qualitative system analysis. ZIRN supports the application of the CIB method by scientists, companies, or administrations through advice, cooperation, and various materials. ZIRN has long-time experiences in CIB method research, development, and practical applications. Purpose of the CIB method A typical application field of CIB is scenario analysis. The construction of scenarios frequently requires the examination of developments in many different fields (e.g. economic, political, social or technological developments). Within different fields well established ideas about the possible developments often exist (e.g. in the form of a favorable, middle and unfavorable forecast variant). However, the development of holistic scenarios requires identifying which combinations of these variants are promoted by the net of their interrelations. This systemic synthesis of isolated information to an overall picture in the context of a scenario analysis can be carried out with the help of CIB. General information about cross-impact methods CIB is a special form of cross-impact analysis. Several variants of cross-impact analysis have been used for the analysis of multidisciplinary systems for almost 40 years. They provide a number of structured processes for deducting plausible future developments in form of rough scenarios and are based on expert judgements about systemic interactions. Cross-impact methods are mostly used for analytical tasks which do not allow for the use of theory-based computational models due to their disciplinary heterogeneity and the relevance of "soft" system knowledge, but on the other hand are too complex for a purely argumentative systems analysis. CIB is a modern form of cross-impact analysis. It is characterized by an easy-to-understand procedure, transparency, and high flexibility in application and evaluation. The purpose of the CIB homepage This site offers information on the CIB method and its application. The site supports the method's application through a number of tools and materials. The site contains: - Brief information on the basics of the method. (1, 2) - References for a more in depth study of the method. - Guidelines providing assistance for the implementation of the method. - Software to execute the basic evaluation algorithm of CIB.	News The Helmholtz Alliance "ENERGY-TRANS" studies the interplay between technological and societal aspects of the energy transition in Germany. ZIRN develops societal scenarios using the CIB method... More News In a project dealing with the conditions of sustainable heat consumption the interdependence of structural conditions, actor behaviour and consumer behaviour is analysed using the CIB method... More News A project of the Stuttgart Cluster of Excellence "SimTech" uses CIB as a method to integrate political, social and economical contexts into environmental simulations... More News In a project about obesity prevention the obesity risks of socially disadvantaged children and adolescents will be analysed using the CIB method... More News The German-Peruvian project LiWa aims at strategies to cope with the threats of climate change to the water supply of Lima. The project's integrative scenarios are developed using the CIB method... More News Version 3.42 of the free CIB software ScenarioWizard Basic is available now... More Archive The archive offers a compilation of older CIB notes on projects and publications... More