Theory and practice of soft systems methodology: a performative contradiction?

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jac Christis
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Performative Contradiction

scholarly journals Modeling the Design Team as a Temporary Management Structure: Reality versus Theory

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28
Author(s):  
Kathy Michell ◽  
Paul Bowen ◽  
Keith Cattell
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Cost Management ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Design Team ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Management Structure ◽  
Cost Management System ◽  
The Cost

The focus of the cost management literature is almost exclusively on technical issues, with scant attention to its social, political and organisational dimensions. In this paper the authors document research examining the design team as a temporary management structure, with emphasis on the efficacy of the cost management system as a vehicle for attaining client objectives with respect to time, cost and quality. Soft systems methodology is used to explore the perceptions of stakeholders to the cost management system, thus developing conceptual models of the theory and practice of cost management. Significant differences were found to exist between the perceptions of individual stakeholders concerning design team participants, participants’ roles, and the very purpose of the cost management system. Recommendations are made for structural, attitudinal and procedural changes to the cost management system in order to facilitate its effective functioning in the achievement of the client’s needs and objectives.

An Introduction to Soft Systems Methodology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Real World ◽  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Analysis ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Soft Systems Thinking

Soft systems methodology (SSM) is the outcome of a real-world action research program that uses the idea of systems to improve poorly defined, so-called soft problem areas. Theory and practice of SSM arouse interest and encourage discussions from various backgrounds by academics and practitioners. In order to introduce SSM for use in the real world, this chapter begins with different definitions and methodologies of systems thinking. Then, SSM defines the seven technical analysis steps, including the soft systems thinking and the necessary techniques such as rich picture, CATWOE analysis, root definition, and conceptual modeling. SSM has organizational analysis and practical applications in the industry sector that are reviewed and classified.

Can Husserl’s phenomenology provide the intellectual framework of soft systems? (Part one)

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Stowell
Keyword(s):  
Research Programme ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intentional Consciousness ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between Husserl’s phenomenology and soft systems. An important idea arising from the action research programme at the University of Lancaster is the notion of soft systems. The concept of soft systems, that distinguished it from other systems (holistic) thinking of the time, was the conscious link between soft systems thinking and phenomenology. Phenomenology is that the realm of intentional consciousness that enables the phenomenologist to develop a radically unprejudiced justification of his (or her) basic views of the world and of himself and explore their rational interconnections. Similarly, in soft systems, it is acknowledged that reality is formed by sensation and fashioned by experience. It is not exclusively a process of thought (although this may shape how we process our experience), for us the world exists as the result of a subjective appreciation of it. In Part 1, the author explores how phenomenology informs soft systems theory and practice through the work of Husserl and some of those that influenced him and were influenced by him. In Part 2, the author explores a possible relationship between Husserl and Gadamer as a possible intellectual grounding for organisational inquiry. Design/methodology/approach The research was conducted by examining published material relating to the development of soft systems ideas and Husserl's phenomenology. Findings An analysis of the ideas within the material suggests that phenomenology can be considered as a underpinning the notion of soft systems Research limitations/implications There is difficulty tracking down important papers that recorded the development of soft systems (i.e. 1970–1990) as Lancaster University had disposed of all issues. However, the author tracked down a source and was able to use this material as part of the research. In addition to helping research the origins of the idea, it also provides a paper trail for other researchers interested in these ideas. Practical implications Tracing the published material relating to soft systems necessitated visits to several universities as many of the important papers where no longer held by the University of Lancaster library. Social implications It seems apposite that the ideas behind soft systems are resurrected as they offer an alternative way of thinking about complexity – which the modern world seems increasingly creating Originality/value There is a lack of research into soft systems as the publications describing the Lancaster research programme have centred around soft systems methodology (SSM). Checkland remarked a decade or so ago that said SSM should be taken as given and other ideas explored. There is little evidence that the soft ideas have been explored outside variations of SSM, this paper is intended to encourage more research into ‘soft’ systems.

A SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99
Author(s):  
Lewis Tsuro ◽  
Stan Hardman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed as a set of tools for identifying and making incremental steps to improve situations with poorly defined causes or solutions. The supply chain forms a key process of any construction project; however, on any given construction site, supply chain inefficiencies could arise from many different avenues. Opinions vary, though, on which of these avenues is more important for increasing supply chain efficiencies; whether any problem even exist across the different aspects of the supply chain; as well as what steps should be taken to resolve them. It was therefore studied, here, whether SSM could be employed as a useful tool to systematically apply in the supply chains of a construction project in South Africa, for understanding and targeting the problematic situations that arise. Following thorough cyclical open-ended interviews with 17 workers, supervisors, foremen, site clerks, senior managers, and the CEO of the principal contractor at a new office park construction project in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and a thematic analysis of the data, SSM was performed to understand the existing challenges, and develop a suitable model for improvement. The study found that SSM was a good tool for understanding the ‘messy’ circumstances surrounding the chosen construction project supply chain, as well as actions that could be taken to improve the supply chain’s efficiency on site. The findings add weight to the argument that SSM could be a good tool for project managers to systematically introduce into their project planning regimens

Secure e-Government Services

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Karokola ◽  
Louise Yngström ◽  
Stewart Kowalski
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Security Services ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Security Standards ◽  
Common Frame Of Reference

E-Government offers many benefits to government agencies, citizens and the business community. However, e-Government services are prone to current and emerging security challenges posing potential threats to critical information assets. Securing it appears to be a major challenge facing governments globally. Based on the international security standards – the paper thoroughly investigates and analyzes eleven e-government maturity models (eGMMs) for security services. Further, it attempts to establish a common frame of reference for eGMM critical stages. The study utilizes the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) of scientific inquiry/ learning cycle adopted from Checkland and Scholes. The findings show that security services (technical and non-technical) are lacking in eGMMs – implying that eGMMs were designed to measure more quantity of offered e-government services than the quality of security services. Therefore, as a step towards achieving secure e-government services the paper proposes a common frame of reference for eGMM with five critical stages. These stages will later be extended to include the required security services.

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