Overcoming Intelligently Some of the Drawbacks of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

Today's physical and human made systems have become more and more complex and dynamic. The concept of complex dynamic systems (CDS) arises in many scientific fields, technological areas and everyday's problems. Modelling and controlling complex dynamic systems is a very difficult and challenging task. Theories of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps have been proposed and mathematically formulated as a new way to model and control complex dynamic systems. FCM theories have been used successfully in many applications, they still present several limitations. These limitations as well as the increasing complexity of the systems dictate the need to reapproach Fuzzy Cognitive Maps to make them more efficient. Well-known drawbacks and limitations of FCM are described and certain solutions to overcome them are given in an integrated and unified way. The state space approach is used to address these drawbacks and the concepts of the FCM are categorized into fuzzy state concepts, input concepts and output concept. A number of solutions to the drawbacks are provided. A novel innovative approach been called, Advanced FCM theories is presented. Conclusions are given and future research directions are provided.