scholarly journals Soft Systems Methodology Applied to Design Processes in an Artisan Enterprise

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 308-322
Author(s):  
Citlalli Macías-Barreto ◽  
Mario Aguilar-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Network Structure ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Design Practice ◽  
Ability To Work ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Viable Systems ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
The Family

Given the tendency of design to intervene in marginalized artisan communities as a strategy to face the demand for their products, this research was focused on the difficulties that artisan enterprises face when moving from the family economic unit to a productive network structure with territorial span. For this reason, it was proposed to answer, how design processes should be integrated into indigenous contexts, in order to improve the systemic viability of these artisan enterprises. Together with the Viable Systems Model, the Soft Systems Methodology was chosen to intervene in a náhuatl artisan enterprise in Mexico. The results provide an environment-oriented design methodological model, to be implemented in small and medium- sized enterprises that wish to improve their ability to work as an integrated whole, and to adapt to the opportunities or threats of the environment. It is concluded that the systematization of the design practice contributes, not only to improving the artisan product, but also, to the strengthening of enterprises in indigenous contexts.

Police Operational Planning and Crime Detection through Adopting an Information Systems Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Peter Kinloch ◽  
Hulya Francis ◽  
Michael Francis ◽  
Mark Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Viable Systems ◽  
Problem Situations ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Generic Framework ◽  
Crime Detection

In recent years the introduction and subsequent enhancements of information technology has seen the emergence of major opportunities for developing new approaches to improve information interchange. The provision of information provides opportunities to find resolutions to problem situations, and the power of providing relevant and accurate information through using information systems cannot be underestimated. However, the world of information systems thinking has, so far, experienced difficulty finding a methodology suitable for utilizing the full range of available current information technology. This situation in the real world shows itself predominantly as information starvation as current information systems struggle to bring order and structure to information technology developments. This article will discuss the issues relating to the development of a new generic framework. The novel aspect of this generic framework for planning information systems is that it integrates Soft Systems Methodology and Viable Systems Model in a coherent whole, whilst embracing the concepts of self-adaptation and autonomy. Further, the generic framework integrates the spatial analysis capabilities of a Geographical Information System. The generic framework will then be tested in real world problem situations in order to test its effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy with regards to finding suitable solutions to the problem of information starvation. The importance of focusing the framework on GIS functionality is related to the fact that in many organizations GIS is employed as the solution to information starvation because of its ability to display spatial information. This article will demonstrate the implementation of the generic framework in a UK Police Authority, a large emergency service that suffers from information starvation. In the context of a UK Police Authority the combination of Soft Systems Methodology and Viable Systems Model being supported by GIS functionality is seen as being a significant progression in relation to crime detection and operational planning.

scholarly journals Business Empathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack WARING ◽  
Rebecca PRICE ◽  
Carl WARING
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
System Thinking ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Business Architecture ◽  
Viable Systems ◽  
Systems Modelling ◽  
Thinking Tools ◽  
Methodological Strength

The strength of design is that it brings new perspectives - often referred to as ‘out of the box’ thinking. However, an attitudinal and methodological strength need not render the designer humble in systems-based business knowledge that improves the prospect of ideas being carried through to implementation. Systems thinking as a discipline offers designers a way to model and understand how a business works, from its processes and power structures to its people and underlying architecture. This paper proposes an incorporation of key system thinking tools including; Soft Systems Methodology, Business Architecture and Viable Systems Modelling into the design process to develop what we term business empathy. The paper contributes a system thinking perspective to an increasing body of literature regarding design innovation.

scholarly journals Rich Pictures: Non Visual use of Visual Tools

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-369
Author(s):  
Ronald Macintyre
Keyword(s):  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Learning Design ◽  
Design Practice ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Participatory Approaches ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Future Selves ◽  
Ideal Learner ◽  
The Ideal

This reflective article explores the use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Rich Pictures within the learning design. It introduces SSM as part of a broader interest in systems within education and positions SSM as part of a broader family of participatory approaches within a range of fields. Based on learning design practice with organisations looking to (re)connect with learners, the paper sets out a scenario where participants are asked to draw of a Rich Picture of the “ideal learner”, where questions of future selves and ideal forms highlight are used to highlight the non-representative nature of representative forms. It reflects on questions of power on deliberative decision-making tools like Rich Pictures and suggests ways of addressing this in practice. It argues that care needs to be taken lest the value of Rich Pictures is the visual representations made rather than the process, and suggests that practitioners should remember that the image is not the outcome.

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

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