Heuristic Models refers to techniques based on experience for various tasks such as research, problem solving, discovery and learning. Heuristic methods enhance the pace of finding the desirable solution in conditions where the comprehensive search is unfeasible. Heuristics are strategies that use readily accessible information for problem solving in machines and human beings.
Examples of such method include common sense, educated guess, or intuitive judgment.
Heuristic processing employs the usage of judgmental rules called as knowledge structures. These judgmental rules are learned and stored in memory with experience. The heuristic approach provides an economic advantage as it needs least cognitive effort on the recipient’s part.
Heuristic processing is governed by three factors including availability, accessibility, and applicability.
· Availability is the presence of the knowledge structures or heuristics that are stored in memory for futuristic purposes.
· Accessibility of the heuristic refers to the capability of retrieving the memory for use.
· Applicability of the heuristic relies on how relevant are the knowledge structures stored in memory to the judgmental task.
The heuristic information processors comply with messages delivered by experts due to the use of knowledge structures. The information processor agrees with messages endorsed by others without completely processing the semantic content of the message.
Heuristic views avoid the detailed information processing and involves application of simple rules or cognitive heuristics for the purpose of mediating persuasion. The Heuristic model is one of the common techniques deployed in the portfolio management scenarios.
Heuristics in Engineering
A heuristic is basically an experience-based procedure that is applied for help in solving process design problems that vary from operating conditions to size of equipments. Heuristics helps in reducing the time invested in solving problems. There are many procedures available to engineers including Fault tree analysis and Failure mode and effects analysis.
The Failure mode and effects analysis involves evaluating the problems, ranking them in order of importance and recommending solutions by a group of qualified engineers. The procedures of forensic engineering function as an important source of information in order to investigate problems by using the weakest link principle and eliminating the unlikely causes.
Drawback of Heuristic algorithms
The primary objective of applying Heuristic algorithms is that they do not require to be mathematically proven and function well for meeting a given set of requirements. One common drawback in implementing a heuristic method for meeting a requirement is the failure of engineer or designer to comprehend that the present data set may not work well for future requirements.
The current data can be successfully handled by devising an algorithm; however it is mandatory to confirm that the heuristic method is competent of handling future data sets.
It is imperative that the engineer or designer should have thorough understanding of the rules that create the data and develop the algorithm for meeting those requirements rather than addressing the current data sets. In order to estimate the probability of false outcomes while using heuristics, the statistical analysis should be conducted.