This lecture will:

1
CM3380-3 The contribution of Soft Systems
Approaches

• This lecture will
• Discuss what is meant by soft systems approaches
• Examine the background to SSA and the context in
  which SSA are used
• Look at some of the ways in which SSA have
  contributed to other developments

2
Soft Systems

• Developed out of work by Jenkins, Wilson
  Checkland
• Checkland is the most influential but not the
  only practitioner
• SSM ideas have contributed to the development of
  other methodologies which might not accept the
  SSM label
• Is an evolving approach - Every user of the
  methodology will potentially yield
  methodological lessons in addition to those about
  the situation of concern (1).
• Is a process of learning and enquiry
• Is intended to be practical

3
What is meant by Soft Systems?

• Associated with work of Checkland and his
  associates/followers
• A number of distinguishing features but most
  relevant here is
• Emphasis on problem identification
• Emphasis on user issues
• Emphasis on holistic approach
• Process of learning and enquiry
• Recognition of change management role

4
7 Stage Approach
Checkland Scholes 1990 (1)
5
The Context

• Historical context Since one methodology
  (systems engineering) was failing
  Checkland,1999
• Failure often attributed to human and
  organisational factors rather than software
  engineering ones
• Concern with wicked problems
• Sense that software sometimes solved the wrong
  problem inadequate problem investigation and
  specification

6
Against this background

• Difference between a hard and a soft systems
  approach
• Not just a different method a different
  philosophy
• Sometimes used as shorthand for the difference
  between a human/organisational issues approach
  and a technical approach

7
Tools and Techniques

• The tools are much less important than the
  overall approach
• A continual process of learning
• Rich pictures
• Root definitions
• CATWOE
• Conceptual Models
• The 3 es

8
Approach to Modelling

• Models are devices whose role is to help
  structure an exploration of the problem
  situation (1)
• Models (in SSM) are not models of the system
  under investigation they are simply devices to
  stimulate, feed and structure..debate(1)
• In hard systems approaches, system models can
  be seen as model of the real world
• Why is this difference important?

9
What does this tell you?

• What is the purpose of the tools and techniques
  in SSM?
• What is the emphasis?
• What is missing?
• How does this relate to System Design?

10
Strengths of Soft Systems

• Addresses the issues not dealt with/not dealt
  with well by traditional hard approaches
• Recognises the complexity of human activity
  systems
• Can be used by people from a variety of
  backgrounds with a range of technical skills (see
  the case studies)
• Emphasises the richness of problem situations
• Focus on the need for accommodations this is
  sometimes overlooked and change

11
Issues

• Weakest on implementation
• Critics argue that SSM is not complete
• Open ended nature of the process
• A specific philosophical approach
• Often used in association with other approaches
  e.g. Multiview

12
SSM in use?

• Are soft systems approaches likely to be more
  acceptable in some organisational cultures than
  in others?
• Where is a Soft Systems Approach most likely to
  be fruitful?
• What level of organisational/stakeholder
  commitment and involvement is required?

13
Still evolving

• Concern to address some of the criticisms made
  see the work of Wilson
• The specific tools and techniques may not be used
  but the ideas have been very influential
• Does not exist in isolation

14
Kindred Approaches?

• Soft Systems very influential particularly in UK
• Participative Design
• Socio-Technical design
• Social Informatics (Rob Kling)

15
An example Client led design

• Explicitly acknowledges a debt to SSM
• Empowering the client
• demystify technology for the clients so it is
  important that the methods used in the design
  process are easily understood by the clients in
  order that they may exercise control over the
  whole process. The prime role of the
  practitioner is that of teacher (2)
• Information Systems Development

16
An example Client led design

• Shifting the focus from technical issues to what
  the user (client) wants
• the user does become marginalized because of
  the predisposition of the technologist to be
  concerned with things technical
• A different way of designing a system

17
An example Client led design

• Defines design as whole process of IS
  development , from .. definition through
  specification to ..maintenance (2)
• A series of phases which allows the client to
  determine at each stage what is required with the
  IS expert acting as advisor to provide the
  technical input

18
References

• (1) Checkland P Scholes J (1990) Soft Systems
  Methodology in Action J Wiley Sons Chichester
• (2) Stowell F (ed) 1995 Information Systems
  Provision McGraw-Hill Maidenhead

19
Further Reading

• Mumford E (1993) The Participation of Users in
  System Design An account of the origin,
  evolution, and use of the ETHICS method in
  Schuler D Namioka A (ed) (1993) Participatory
  Design
• Wilson Brian(2001) Soft Systems Methodology
  Conceptual Model Building and its Contribution
  John Wiley Sons Chichester
• Checkland P (2000) Soft Systems Methodology a
  30 yr Retrospective J Wiley Sons Chichester
• Social Informatics - a good place to start is
  the website of the School for Library and
  Information Sciences University of Indiana
  http//www.slis.indiana.edu/CSI/index.html
• Also look at the seminal text
• Checkland Peter (1981) Systems Thinking, Systems
  Practice J Wiley Sons Chichester