Soft Systems Methodology

Outline

• What is SSM• Background• SSM

– Overview– Stages 1 – 7

• Final Remarks

What is SSM

• SSM helps formulate and structure thinking about problems in complex, human situations (soft problems).

designedphysicalsystem

humanactivitysystem

Background

System Theory Systems Engineering

Systems Analysis

Soft Systems Methodology

“The whole is more than the sum of its parts”

Soft Systems Methodologysituation

consideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

Stage 1 – 2: Expressionsituation

consideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

Stage 3: Root Definitions of Relevant Systems

• Which are the names of the nominal systems which from the analysis phase seem relevant to the problem?

situationconsideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

Stage 4: Making and Testing Conceptual Models

situationconsideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

enrol studentsdesign

educationprogrammes

appreciatenational

standards

educatestudents

allotresources

designand carry outassessment

awarddegrees + diplomasto students reaching

acceptable levels

monitor forE1, E2, E3

take controlaction

• Each conceptual system has at its heart a transformation process in which something, an input, is changed, or transformed, into some new form of itself, an output. This is normally notated:

input output

• This transformation is done according to point of view that is meaningful for the current analysis

Stage 5: Comparing Models with Reality

• Use the model as a base for discussion about change.

• Comparing what happens in the real system with what would have happen if the model existed.

• Comparing features.• Trying to model the real world

using the same structure as the conceptual model.

situationconsideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

Stage 6 – 7: Implementing Feasible and Desirable Changes

• Three types of changes:– Changes in structures– Changes in processes– Changes in attitudes

situationconsideredproblematic

problemsituation

expressed

real world

systems thinkingabout real world

conceptual modelsof systems describedin root definitions 4

comparison ofmodels and

real world 5

6 changes:systemically desirable,

culturally feasible

7 action toimprove the

problem situation

3root definition

of relevant systems

2

1

Final Remarks

• SSM has evolved based on the experiences solving real world problems and currently is base in four main stages:– Making rich pictures– Analysis one (the intervention itself)– Analysis two (social)– Analysis three (political)