10. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, when executed, cause a processor to perform respective functions, the computer-readable program portions comprising: a first processor-executable portion capable of reviewing a structured electronic representation of each of a plurality of different types of documents and of automatically identifying at least one symptom, a plurality of components and causal relationships between a failure of the respective components and the occurrence of the at least one symptom by mapping the failure of a respective component to at least one symptom to establish a respective causal relationship; a second processor-executable portion capable of receiving respective probabilities associated with the causal relationships between the at least one symptom and the plurality of components whose failure contributes to the at least one symptom, wherein the second executable portion is configured to receive respective probabilities from an individual participating in construction of the network model, and wherein the second executable portion is further configured to obtain respective probabilities from an individual by eliciting the probability associated with the causal relationship between at least one symptom and the failure of a respective component and receiving input from the individual of the elicited probability; a third processor-executable portion capable of constructing a diagnostic network model of the at least one symptom, the plurality of components, the causal relationships therebetween and the probabilities of the respective causal relationships; and a fourth processor-executable portion configured to display a representation of at least a portion of the network model.
10. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, when executed, cause a processor to perform respective functions, the computer-readable program portions comprising: a first processor-executable portion capable of reviewing a structured electronic representation of each of a plurality of different types of documents and of automatically identifying at least one symptom, a plurality of components and causal relationships between a failure of the respective components and the occurrence of the at least one symptom by mapping the failure of a respective component to at least one symptom to establish a respective causal relationship; a second processor-executable portion capable of receiving respective probabilities associated with the causal relationships between the at least one symptom and the plurality of components whose failure contributes to the at least one symptom, wherein the second executable portion is configured to receive respective probabilities from an individual participating in construction of the network model, and wherein the second executable portion is further configured to obtain respective probabilities from an individual by eliciting the probability associated with the causal relationship between at least one symptom and the failure of a respective component and receiving input from the individual of the elicited probability; a third processor-executable portion capable of constructing a diagnostic network model of the at least one symptom, the plurality of components, the causal relationships therebetween and the probabilities of the respective causal relationships; and a fourth processor-executable portion configured to display a representation of at least a portion of the network model. 13. A computer program product according to claim 10 wherein said third executable portion is capable of constructing a Bayesian network model of the at least one symptom, the plurality of components, the causal relationships therebetween and the probabilities of the respective causal relationships.