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.

Collaborative Design

2011 ◽  
pp. 202-221
Author(s):  
Anita Mirijamdotter ◽  
Mary M. Somerville
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
American University ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Soft Systems Thinking ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Organizational Leader

Within the context of a three year applied research project conducted from 2003-2006 in a North American university library, staff were encouraged to reconsider organizational assumptions and design processes. The project involved an organizational leader and an external consultant who introduced and collaboratively applied Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) practice. Project results suggest the efficacy of using ‘soft’ systems thinking to guide interaction (re)design of technology-enabled environments, systems, and tools. In addition, participants attained insights into their new roles and responsibilities within a dynamically changing higher education environment. Project participants also applied SSM to redesign ‘in house’ information systems. The process of employing systems thinking practices to activate and advance organizational (re)learning, and initiating and elaborating user-centered interaction (re) design practices, culminated in a collaborative design (co-design) approach that readied participants for nimble responsiveness to continuous changes in the dynamic external environment.

Varieties of systems thinking: The case of soft systems methodology

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. Checkland ◽  
Michael G. Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

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.

scholarly journals A Bibliographic and Visual Exploration of the Historic Impact of Soft Systems Methodology on Academic Research and Theory

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Warren ◽  
Brian Sauser ◽  
David Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems

Soft systems methodology (SSM), an analytic method commonly employed in engineering and business research, produces models focused on human activities and relevant structures used to explain complex, engineered systems. The original version of SSM involves seven stages; five address real-world aspects and observable data, while two stages leverage a systems thinking viewpoint. This approach allows the development of a simplified depiction of complex systems representative of the multi-perspective lenses used to comprehend the systemic complexity of a problem and provide a clearer picture to analysts and decision makers. This bibliometric meta-analysis of 286 relevant publications in engineering, business, and other social sciences fields explores the historic impacts of SSM on academic research and systems thinking in relevant publications that described or employed SSM for research from 1980–2018. This study produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top SSM authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

scholarly journals Re-energising the way we manage change in healthcare: the case for soft systems methodology and its application to evidence-based practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Augustsson ◽  
Kate Churruca ◽  
Jeffrey Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Learning Cycle ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Implementation Effort ◽  
Evidence Based Guidelines ◽  
Taking Action

Abstract Background Updating, improving and spreading the evidence base for healthcare practices has proven to be a challenge of considerable magnitude – a wicked, multi-dimensional problem. There are many interlinked factors which determine how, why and whether any particular implementation effort or intervention succeeds. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), strongly grounded in systems ideas and complexity science, offers a structured, yet flexible process for dealing with situations that are perceived as problematical and in need of improvement. The aim of this paper is to propose the use of SSM for managing change in healthcare by way of addressing some of the complexities. The aim is further to illustrate examples of how SSM has been used in healthcare and discuss the features of the methodology that we believe can be harnessed to improve healthcare. Discussion SSM is particularly suited for tackling real world problems that are difficult to define and where stakeholders may have divergent views on the situation and the objectives of change. SSM engages stakeholders in a learning cycle including: finding out about the problematical situation, i.e. the context in which the problem exists, by developing a rich picture of the situation; defining it by developing conceptual models and comparing these with the real world; taking action to improve it by deciding on desirable and feasible improvements; and implementing these in an iterative manner. Although SSM has been widely used in other sectors, it has not been extensively used in healthcare. We make the case for applying SSM to implementation and improvement endeavours in healthcare using the example of getting clinicians at the hospital level to use evidence-based guidelines. Conclusion Applying SSM means taking account of the multi-dimensional nature of care settings, and dealing with entrenched and unique contexts, cultures and socio-political ecosystems – precisely those that manifest in healthcare. There are gains to be made in appreciating complexity and facilitating contextualization of interventions, and by approaching improvements in an iterative learning cycle.

scholarly journals MODEL PENGELOLAAN KESELAMATAN KERJA NELAYAN DI PALABUHANRATU, KABUPATEN SUKABUMI

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fis Purwangka ◽  
Sugeng Hari Wisudo ◽  
Budhi H. Iskandar ◽  
Jonh Haluan
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

Proses keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja seperti proses manajemen pada umumnya adalah penerapan berbagai fungsi manajemen, yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan dan pengawasan.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menginventarisasi dan mengidentifikasi aspek-aspek yang terkait dengan manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan serta membangun model manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan dari kondisi yang terjadi.  Pada penelitian ini digunakan metode berfikir secara sistem (systems thinking) dengan pendekatan metodologi sistem lunak (soft systems methodology). Hasil inventarisasi menunjukkan bahwa permasalahan dalam manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan di Palabuhanratu umumnya terkait pengorganisasian dan pengelolaan secara terpadu. Pengelolaan manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan menunjukkan ciri-ciri tidak sistemik dan ciri-ciri organisasi yang mengalami ketidakmampuan belajar.Model Konseptual Pengorganisasian Pengelolaan Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (SMK3) dapat diimplementasikan dengan kondisi adanya perencanaan dan kebijakan yang mengatur tugas dan wewenang lembaga yang terlibat, adanya mekanisme komunikasi yang mudah dipahami, dibentuknya sistem pengawasan yang terukur, serta komitmen dari semua bagian yang terlibat. Model konseptual pengelolaan secara terpadu SMK3 dapat diimplementasikan dengan kondisi adanya komitmen dari semua lembaga yang terlibat, mekanisme komunikasi, koordinasi, dan keterbukaan informasi, dilakukannya pengawasan bersama dan kesetaraan kelembagaan dan kewenangan serta pelayanan yang terukur.

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