1. A method of modeling a system comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising: using a processor to provide an electronic canvas; defining a plurality of shape objects within the electronic canvas, the shape objects representing the components of the system, at least one shape object being associated with a behavioral characteristic; using the electronic canvas to define connections between the shape objects that represent relationships between the components of the system; generating a model of the system as a function of the shape objects and the connections defined between the shape objects; using a graph theoretic method to identify a set of active components of the system and a path comprising at least one of the active components; and determining a reliability of the system as a function of the identified active components and path of the system, the reliability of the system comprising a probability that at least one path of the system will deliver an intended function.