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Soft Systems Methodology*

Soft Systems Methodology* One of the intellectual legacies of the 50s and 60s was the approach to tackling real-world problems embodied in such methodologies as Systems Engineering and RAND Corporation Systems Analysis. Such methodology entails a search for the best means to achieve an end defined as desirable.In a programme of collaborative research undertaken in real problem situations, such an approach was found inadequate when faced with obscure objectives and multiple legitimate viewpoints. The alternative which emerged, Soft Systems Methodology, SSM, uses models of purposeful activity systems to set up a debate about change and learns its way to changes which would be both (systematically) desirable and (culturally) feasible.The shift from a paradigm of optimizing to one of learning marks the new systems thinking of the 70s and 80s the emergence and nature of SSM as described. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Human Systems Management IOS Press

Soft Systems Methodology*

Checkland, Peter B.
Human Systems Management , Volume 8 (4): 17 – Dec 1, 1989
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17 pages

 
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Publisher
IOS Press
Copyright
© 1989 ‒ IOS Press. All rights reserved
ISSN
0167-2533
eISSN
1875-8703
DOI
10.3233/hsm-1989-8405
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

One of the intellectual legacies of the 50s and 60s was the approach to tackling real-world problems embodied in such methodologies as Systems Engineering and RAND Corporation Systems Analysis. Such methodology entails a search for the best means to achieve an end defined as desirable.In a programme of collaborative research undertaken in real problem situations, such an approach was found inadequate when faced with obscure objectives and multiple legitimate viewpoints. The alternative which emerged, Soft Systems Methodology, SSM, uses models of purposeful activity systems to set up a debate about change and learns its way to changes which would be both (systematically) desirable and (culturally) feasible.The shift from a paradigm of optimizing to one of learning marks the new systems thinking of the 70s and 80s the emergence and nature of SSM as described.

Journal

Human Systems Management – IOS Press

Published: Dec 1, 1989

There are no references for this article.