A Systemic Framework for Facilitating Better Client-Developer Collaboration in Complex Projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Jeanette Wendy Wing ◽  
Doncho Petkov ◽  
Theo N Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Software Requirements ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Stakeholder Values ◽  
Complex Projects ◽  
System Method ◽  
Systems Practice

The article presents a framework for facilitating better collaboration between clients and developers in software requirements formulation. A mix of systems methods from soft systems methodology, critical systems heuristics and the work system method is justified through the principles of critical systems practice. It is particularly relevant for project contexts characterized by diversity of stakeholder values and significant complexity. The contribution of the article for the field of Information Systems is in the proposal of a systemic framework for promoting organizational learning about software requirements formulation. From a practical point of view it reduces the complexity of using systems thinking in software development as the selected methods are simpler to use than the whole system methodologies to which they belong.

On the Suitability of Soft Systems Methodology and the Work System Method in Some Software Project Contexts

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doncho Petkov ◽  
Steven Alter ◽  
Olga Petkova ◽  
Theo Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
System Of Systems ◽  
Software Project ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Work System ◽  
System Method ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Development Literature

This paper proposes the use of the System of Systems Methodologies (SOSM) framework by Jackson and Keys for mapping of diverse software project contexts analyzed previously in the software development literature. In addition it presents an evaluation of the suitability of Soft Systems Methodology by Checkland and the Work System Method by Alter for those specific situations within SOSM. Thus we extend the work by Bustard and Keenan and by Alter and Browne on software project contexts that may lead to better tailoring of software development processes by mixing methods within a particular project.

scholarly journals Domain-Driven Design and Soft Systems Methodology as a Framework to Avoid Software Crises

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 191-204
Author(s):  
Nikitas A. Assimakopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Papaioannou
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Common Language ◽  
Creative Collaboration ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Complex Projects ◽  
Use Of Models

Crisis is considered to be an issue concerning complex systems like societies, organizations or even families. It can be defined as the situation in which the system functions poorly, the causes of the dysfunction are not immediately identified and immediate decisions need to be made. The type and the duration of a crisis may require different kinds of decision making. In a long-term crisis, when system changes may be required, the active participation of the affected people may be more important than the power and dynamics of the leadership. Software crises, in their their contemporary form as oganizational maffunctions, can still affect the viability of any organization. In this contribution we highlight the systemic aspects of a crisis, the complexity behind that and the role of systemic methodologies to explore its root causes and to design effective interventions. Our focus is on modeling as a means to simplify the complexity of the regarded phenomena and to build a knowledge consensus among stakeholders. Domain-Driven Design comes from software as an approach to deal with complex projects. It is based on models exploration in a creative collaboration between domain practitioners and solution providers. SSM is an established methodology for dealing with wicked situations. It incorporates the use of models and, along with Domain-Driven Design and other systemic methodologies can be employed to develop a common perception of the situation and a common language between interested parties in a crisis situation.

Critical Systems Thinking and Information Technology

2011 ◽  
pp. 493-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristo Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Political Ethics ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Analytic Psychology ◽  
Formal Science

This chapter presents a summary of some features of soft systems methodology—SSM, and of critical systems thinking—CST as they have been experienced from the point of view of the field of applications of information technology. It highlights the manner in which CST completes SSM in the context of the design of computer support in the form of HYPERSYSTEMS, and evidences some problematic aspects of the two approaches which push the practitioner into philosophical issues. One concluding hypothesis is that further developments of systems practice must be sought at the interface between formal science, political ethics, analytic psychology, and religious thought. For tutorial purposes, a great amount of literature is related to these issues.

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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