Soft systems methogology
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Transcript of Soft systems methogology
Soft Systems Methodology
Outline
• What is SSM• Background• SSM
– Overview– Stages 1 – 7
• Final Remarks
What is SSM
• SSM helps formulate and structure thinking about problems in complex, human situations (soft problems).
designedphysicalsystem
humanactivitysystem
Background
System Theory Systems Engineering
Systems Analysis
Soft Systems Methodology
“The whole is more than the sum of its parts”
Soft Systems Methodologysituation
consideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
Stage 1 – 2: Expressionsituation
consideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
Stage 3: Root Definitions of Relevant Systems
• Which are the names of the nominal systems which from the analysis phase seem relevant to the problem?
situationconsideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
Stage 4: Making and Testing Conceptual Models
situationconsideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
enrol studentsdesign
educationprogrammes
appreciatenational
standards
educatestudents
allotresources
designand carry outassessment
awarddegrees + diplomasto students reaching
acceptable levels
monitor forE1, E2, E3
take controlaction
• Each conceptual system has at its heart a transformation process in which something, an input, is changed, or transformed, into some new form of itself, an output. This is normally notated:
input output
• This transformation is done according to point of view that is meaningful for the current analysis
Stage 5: Comparing Models with Reality
• Use the model as a base for discussion about change.
• Comparing what happens in the real system with what would have happen if the model existed.
• Comparing features.• Trying to model the real world
using the same structure as the conceptual model.
situationconsideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
Stage 6 – 7: Implementing Feasible and Desirable Changes
• Three types of changes:– Changes in structures– Changes in processes– Changes in attitudes
situationconsideredproblematic
problemsituation
expressed
real world
systems thinkingabout real world
conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4
comparison ofmodels and
real world 5
6 changes:systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
7 action toimprove the
problem situation
3root definition
of relevant systems
2
1
Final Remarks
• SSM has evolved based on the experiences solving real world problems and currently is base in four main stages:– Making rich pictures– Analysis one (the intervention itself)– Analysis two (social)– Analysis three (political)