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

An innovative uncertainty management framework to support contracting for product-service availability

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ahmet Erkoyuncu ◽  
Rajkumar Roy ◽  
Essam Shehab ◽  
Elmar Kutsch
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Uncertainty Management ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Defence Industry

Purpose – In the light of challenges experienced in cost estimation at the bidding stage of complex engineering services in the defence industry (e.g. contracting for availability), the purpose of this paper is to present a framework to manage the influence of uncertainty on cost estimates. Design/methodology/approach – The research applied the Soft Systems Methodology and benefitted from interaction with four major organisations in the defence industry through document sharing, semi-structured interviews, workshops, and case studies. Findings – The framework is composed of seven stages to plan, identify, prioritise, classify, and manage cost uncertainties. Through the validation of three case studies some of the key benefits of the framework were realised in project planning, uncertainty visualisation, and capability management. Research limitations/implications – The research has been applied in the defence sector in the UK and focuses on the bidding stage. Further research needs to be applied to confirm that the findings are applicable across industries and across the life cycle. Originality/value – The paper builds on the theory behind risk and uncertainty management and proposes an innovative framework that avoids the assumption of “perfect” knowledge by raising questions about the validity of the input data.

An Application of Soft Systems Methodology to Supply Chain Management

2007 ◽  
pp. 254-285
Author(s):  
Ross Smith ◽  
David Mackay ◽  
Graeme Altmann ◽  
Lucas Merlo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
The Uk

This chapter reflects upon techniques that might facilitate improved strategic decision making in a supply chain management (SCM) environment. In particular, it presents the integration of a selection of techniques adapted from an approach to systems-based problem solving that has emerged primarily in the UK over the last 20-30 years—the soft systems methodology (SSM). The results reported indicate that SSM techniques can complement existing SCM decision-making tools. In particular, this chapter outlines a framework for integrating some SSM techniques with approaches based upon the supply-chain operations reference-model (SCOR) .

STUDI PENJAJAGAN PENERAPAN KAWASAN KESELAMATAN OPERASI PENERBANGAN BANDARA (Kasus Bandara Cikembar Sukabumi)

2021 ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
Eko Hadi Purwanto ◽  
Rulhendri Rulhendri ◽  
Nurul Chayati
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

Perwujudan Kawasan Keamanan Operasi Penerbangan (KKOP) Bandara Cikembar membangkitkan multi moda transportasi yang diakselerasi dengan tranformasi digitital antara Simpul Jasa Distribusi (SJD) Kabupaten dan Kota Sukabumi. Asumsi peningkatan fasilitas di SJD berdasarkan evaluasi tanah (alih fungsi), penetapan ulang Area Fokus Konservasi, dan tetap memprioritaskan persil tanah milik pribadi untuk perlindungan dan jaminan sosial budaya dan hukum. Studi Penjajagan (SP) merupakan curah pendapat, atau pengumpulan soft & hard paradigm stakeholder dan shareholder Kabupaten dan Kota Sukabumi. SP penelitian ini sebagai usulan dengan Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). SSM dimulai dengan gambaran berbagai kebijakan dan kenyataan penyelengaraan. Dalam pelayanan publik dan situasi kehidupan (sosial ekonomi). Penelusuran permasalahan dengan Indeks Informasi (II) untuk memicu pertanyaan spesifik tentang kegiatan yang penting dan pasti dan sesuai dengan fakta (kearifan lokal). Hasil penelusuran permasalahan ini dijadikan pengetahuan dengan cara comparation, consequences, connections dan conversation (Knowledge Management/KM 2.0). KM 2.0 memudahkan tata kelola pelayanan publik (governance). Pengetahuan terkait kehidupan sehari-hari dan yang diinginkan secara budaya masyarakat wilayah tersebut (population). Agar Tata Bangunan dan Lingkungan memenuhi kelaikan fungsi dan hemat enerji serta protokol kesehatan, serta keberlanjutan lingkungan hidup wilayah pembanguan bersangkutan dengan alat bantu Streamline Architecture Engineering & Construction Project (AEC project) sebagai action plan pembangunan wilayah. Usulan kerangka kerja sebagai interaksi dan interdependensi antara sosial sistem dan ekosistem wilayah terapan, dengan asumsi Struktur Ruang Wilayah Kabupaten Kota Sukabumi (model n s.d n-1).

scholarly journals Understanding circular economy implementation in the agri-food supply chain: the case of an Indonesian organic fertiliser producer

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Nattassha ◽  
Yuanita Handayati ◽  
Togar M. Simatupang ◽  
Manahan Siallagan
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Organic Fertiliser ◽  
Value Loss ◽  
By Products ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract Background One of the most important issues in the agri-food industry and its supply chain is the existence of by-products, treated as wastes and discarded immediately to waste disposal. This treatment might lead to loss of possibility in gaining economic value from them. Implementation of a circular economy could prevent the economic value loss, since the circular economy utilises said wastes as resources for other processes. However, the enforcement has obstacles and a lack of explanation in the literature, particularly in the case of an organic fertiliser producer. Results and conclusions This research develops a conceptual model of an organic fertiliser producer through the soft systems methodology approach. The results shed light on the ongoing literature by identifying the overall system and relevant components. Further, this study highlights several issues, the most important of which is the lack of interaction between the company and the farmers, which decrease the farmers’ desire to purchase the organic fertiliser. For better implementation of circular economy in this particular supply chain, it is suggested that the company establish better communication with their customers, the farmers, especially to gain better understanding of their wants and needs.

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