INTRODUCTION 



This manual is an antianxiety primer and companion to the Legal Institu- 

 tional Analysis Model (LIAM). This model is a process designed for agencies 

 and organizations involved in assessing the impacts of water resource projects. 

 It is used for the systematic analysis of those qualities that enable an 

 agency to achieve its goals in a project negotiation. Using LIAM, you will be 

 better equipped to develop the most appropriate strategies for goal achieve- 

 ment, conflict resolution, and effective negotiation. 



The major thesis of LIAM is that the political and institutional dynamics 

 that operate in any decision-making process are as vital to the outcome as 

 the technical data and regulations involved. In fact, the institutional 

 dynamics often condition the technical studies. LIAM provides a systematic 

 and routine means to diagnose institutional dynamics before launching a tech- 

 nical study. 



In the computer language of our day, computers are referred to as either 

 "user friendly" or "user scary." This manual attempts to set your mind at 

 ease as you try working with a friendly computer program to analyze the water 

 resource conflict you have in mind. 



If you are totally new to this system, and computers in general, you 

 might benefit from a bit of advice. Take your time to read over this manual. 

 Pay particular attention to the "Troubleshooting" section. Refer to the -MENU 

 as often as you need for explanations of each program offering. It can be 

 difficult to be patient with a machine, but try to be calm; remember, you will 

 not ruin the programs or hurt future generations by experimenting and practic- 

 ing different commands. Think of the computer as your silent partner who can 

 add a new perspective to your information and intuitions and contribute 

 creative and helpful alternatives to your own decision-making process. 



If you are an advanced computer user, the following description of LIAM 

 might be the basis of your conceptual understanding. The LIAM programs are 

 run by procedures that access various programs, data files, and test files. 

 The source code for the programs is written in Fortran IV. Binary versions of 

 the program are stored in a multirecord file, where they are retrieved by the 

 procedure for execution. Data files are created and named by the user, and 

 are updated each time -QUERY,, or -LOOKY,, is run. Text files include one 

 file containing all of the questions, and other files that contain large 

 textural blocks for use in the -MENU and for user instructions. As the 

 programs are run, subroutines are used extensively. All subroutines are 

 stored in a binary library, which is loaded before the program executes. Many 

 of these subroutines are used in more than one program (e.g., reviewing 

 respondents in a data set is executed by the same subroutine in each program). 



