Compare Viable Systems Model (VSM) and Soft Systems Model (SSM) in terms of their way of dealing with organisational issues.

INDEX

1. The Differentiation between VSM and SSM

1.1 Viable System Model..........................................................................2

1.1.1 A brief overview of VSM.......................................................2

1.1.2 Argumentation on VSM........................................................3

1.2 Soft Systems Methodology....................................................4

1.2.1 A simple description of SSM................................................4

1.2.2 Commentary on SSM..........................................................5

1.3 Comparison between VSM and SSM......................................6

2. The Mutualism between VSM and SSM...............................8

2.1 The Relationship between SSM and the VSM.............................8

2.2 Combining use of the VSM and the SSM...............................10

3. Conclusion..............................................................................10

4. Bibliography............................................................................11

1. The Differentiation between VSM and SSM

1.1 Viable System Model

The VSM is a powerful tool; it establishes the adequacy of the strategies used by an organization to cope with the complexity of its tasks. The VSM is a model of the web of regulatory mechanisms that are needed in an organization to cope successfully with the inherent large complexity of real-world tasks.

1.1.1 A brief overview of VSM

There are five systems in the process of VSM, each of which takes the different functions. The system 1 of an organization consists of the various parts of it directly concerned with implementation. Each part of System 1 should be autonomous in its own right, so that it can absorb some of the massive environmental variety that would otherwise flood higher management levels. This means the parts themselves must be viable systems and must exhibit the five functions-- the model is 'recursive'; the structure of the whole is

Bibliography: Ć Beckford, John, 1958, The Viable system model: a more adequate tool for practicing management. (T/H 1993, P.H.D. B3.) Ć Checkland, Peter B, 1990, Soft Systems Methodology in Action, JOHN WILEY & SONS Ć Checkland, Peter B, 1993, Systems Thinking, System Practice, Ć Chichester, Wiley, 1989, The Viable System Model: interpretation and application of Stafford Beer 's VSM, JOHN WILEY&SONS Ć D.E.AVISON and G.FITZGRALD, 2000, Information Systems Development Methodologies Techniques and Tools, 2nd Edition, The McGran-Hill Companies Ć Johnson and Richard Arvid, 1992, Systems Theory and Management, XEROX Ć Robert L. Flood and Norma R.A.Romm, 1997, Critical System Thinking: current research and practice, Plenum Press, New York and London