Soft Systems Methodology: Difference between revisions

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The '''Soft Systems Methodology''' (SSM) was born out of research conducted at Lancaster University where scientists attempted to apply Systems Engineering approaches to solve “management/business problems”. In other words, they tried to apply a [[Hard Systems approach]], but it failed simply because the <u>different stakeholders have divergent views on what constitutes the system, the purpose of the system and, therefore, the problem</u>.

The key players in the development of the SSM are Peter Checkland [1999] and Brian Wilson [2001].

who through “action research” were able to put together a practical and pragmatic approach to the identification and solution of “soft” ill-defined problems. This methodology was more than just a process;

Checkland and Wilson also developed a set of tools to help users carry out the steps:

# [[Rich Picture]]

# [[Conceptual Model]]

# [[CATWOE]]

# [[Formal Systems Model]]

~~1. System Dynamics (SD) developed originally in the late 1950s by Jay Forrester~~

~~2. Viable Systems Model (VSM) developed originally in the late 1960s by~~

~~Stafford Beer~~

~~3. Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA: with cognitive mapping)~~

~~developed originally in the 1970s by Colin Eden~~

~~4. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) developed originally in the 1970s by [[Peter~~

~~Checkland]]~~

~~5. Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) developed originally in the late 1970s by~~

~~Werner Ulrich~~

==References==

* Checkland, P. B. (1989). Soft systems methodology. Human systems management, 8(4), 273-289.

* Checkland, P., & Poulter, J. (2020). Soft systems methodology. Systems approaches to making change: A practical guide, 201-253.

* Wilson, B. (2001). Soft systems methodology. Conceptual model building and its contribution, 35.

[[CATEGORY: Systems Methodologies]]

[[CATEGORY: Systems concepts]]

[[CATEGORY: Systems ~~Approaches to Managing Change~~]]