Information System
SOFT
SYSTEMS
METHODOLOGY
Soft Systems - Modified December 2005
Bob Williams
1 bobwill@actrix.co.nz The Kellogg Foundation http://users.actrix.co.nz/bobwill SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY
Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed by Peter Checkland in the late 60’s at the University of Lancaster in the UK. Originally it was seen as a modelling tool, but in later years it has been seen increasingly as a learning and meaning development tool.
Although it develops models, the models are not supposed to represent the “real world”, but by using systems rules and principles allow you to structure your thinking about the real world. The models are neither descriptive or normative, though they may carry elements of both.
One of the interesting things about SSM is that it constrains your thinking in order for you to expand your thinking. Thus blowing away the idea that system thinking is always expansive.
Like many other systems approaches the heart of SSM is a comparison between the world as it is, and some models of the world as it might be. Out of this comparison arise a better understanding of the world ("research"), and some ideas for improvement
("action").
In classic SSM the researchers begin with a real-world problem (or perhaps “situation” is a better word).
They study the situation in a fairly unstructured way. Following this, they develop some models of that situation. The particular strength of SSM for evaluators is that it can be used to untangle the evaluative lessons from programs with multiple goals and multiple perspectives on these goals. It does so by developing specific perspectives on the program, rigorously constructs some models based on these perspectives and then compares these with real life.
The classic SSM inquiry has seven stages. Some of them address the “real” world, and some of them – perhaps the most important parts – address a conceptual world.
Soft Systems - Modified December 2005
Bob Williams
2
SYSTEMS
METHODOLOGY
Soft Systems - Modified December 2005
Bob Williams
1 bobwill@actrix.co.nz The Kellogg Foundation http://users.actrix.co.nz/bobwill SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY
Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed by Peter Checkland in the late 60’s at the University of Lancaster in the UK. Originally it was seen as a modelling tool, but in later years it has been seen increasingly as a learning and meaning development tool.
Although it develops models, the models are not supposed to represent the “real world”, but by using systems rules and principles allow you to structure your thinking about the real world. The models are neither descriptive or normative, though they may carry elements of both.
One of the interesting things about SSM is that it constrains your thinking in order for you to expand your thinking. Thus blowing away the idea that system thinking is always expansive.
Like many other systems approaches the heart of SSM is a comparison between the world as it is, and some models of the world as it might be. Out of this comparison arise a better understanding of the world ("research"), and some ideas for improvement
("action").
In classic SSM the researchers begin with a real-world problem (or perhaps “situation” is a better word).
They study the situation in a fairly unstructured way. Following this, they develop some models of that situation. The particular strength of SSM for evaluators is that it can be used to untangle the evaluative lessons from programs with multiple goals and multiple perspectives on these goals. It does so by developing specific perspectives on the program, rigorously constructs some models based on these perspectives and then compares these with real life.
The classic SSM inquiry has seven stages. Some of them address the “real” world, and some of them – perhaps the most important parts – address a conceptual world.
Soft Systems - Modified December 2005
Bob Williams
2
References: Checkland, P (1999) Systems Thinking, Systems Practice : a 30 year retrospective. Patching, D. (1990) Practical soft systems analysis.