Varieties of systems thinking: The case of soft systems methodology

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. Checkland ◽  
Michael G. Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

scholarly journals A Bibliographic and Visual Exploration of the Historic Impact of Soft Systems Methodology on Academic Research and Theory

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Warren ◽  
Brian Sauser ◽  
David Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems

Soft systems methodology (SSM), an analytic method commonly employed in engineering and business research, produces models focused on human activities and relevant structures used to explain complex, engineered systems. The original version of SSM involves seven stages; five address real-world aspects and observable data, while two stages leverage a systems thinking viewpoint. This approach allows the development of a simplified depiction of complex systems representative of the multi-perspective lenses used to comprehend the systemic complexity of a problem and provide a clearer picture to analysts and decision makers. This bibliometric meta-analysis of 286 relevant publications in engineering, business, and other social sciences fields explores the historic impacts of SSM on academic research and systems thinking in relevant publications that described or employed SSM for research from 1980–2018. This study produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top SSM authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

scholarly journals MODEL PENGELOLAAN KESELAMATAN KERJA NELAYAN DI PALABUHANRATU, KABUPATEN SUKABUMI

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fis Purwangka ◽  
Sugeng Hari Wisudo ◽  
Budhi H. Iskandar ◽  
Jonh Haluan
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

Proses keselamatan dan kesehatan kerja seperti proses manajemen pada umumnya adalah penerapan berbagai fungsi manajemen, yaitu perencanaan, pelaksanaan dan pengawasan.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menginventarisasi dan mengidentifikasi aspek-aspek yang terkait dengan manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan serta membangun model manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan dari kondisi yang terjadi.  Pada penelitian ini digunakan metode berfikir secara sistem (systems thinking) dengan pendekatan metodologi sistem lunak (soft systems methodology). Hasil inventarisasi menunjukkan bahwa permasalahan dalam manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan di Palabuhanratu umumnya terkait pengorganisasian dan pengelolaan secara terpadu. Pengelolaan manajemen keselamatan kerja nelayan menunjukkan ciri-ciri tidak sistemik dan ciri-ciri organisasi yang mengalami ketidakmampuan belajar.Model Konseptual Pengorganisasian Pengelolaan Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (SMK3) dapat diimplementasikan dengan kondisi adanya perencanaan dan kebijakan yang mengatur tugas dan wewenang lembaga yang terlibat, adanya mekanisme komunikasi yang mudah dipahami, dibentuknya sistem pengawasan yang terukur, serta komitmen dari semua bagian yang terlibat. Model konseptual pengelolaan secara terpadu SMK3 dapat diimplementasikan dengan kondisi adanya komitmen dari semua lembaga yang terlibat, mekanisme komunikasi, koordinasi, dan keterbukaan informasi, dilakukannya pengawasan bersama dan kesetaraan kelembagaan dan kewenangan serta pelayanan yang terukur.

scholarly journals Managing ambiguity in business. A holistic and innovative approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 843-851
Author(s):  
Oana Pop
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Entrepreneurial Organization ◽  
Systemic Interventions ◽  
One Year

Abstract This article will look at the hurdles of dealing with ambiguity and the wicked problems that organizations are struggling with, by providing key insights from a one year team coaching program that the author had the opportunity to deliver in a Romanian entrepreneurial organization. Based on the actual methods used and highlighting the findings and impact of the program, we will reflect on how ambiguity manifests in organizational settings and how wicked problems can be defined. The methods employed are within the range of complexity science and are holistic approaches to systemic interventions within organizations that combine soft systems methodology, paradoxical theory of change, complex responsive processes approach with important concepts from systems thinking such as archetypes, feedback loops and modeling. One of the key objectives of the article is to reunite different academic approaches and link them to a case study as a way of adding value to these approaches and to reiterate that research needs, to find its rightful place in the practitioners’ toolkit and have a more meaningful and direct impact on the real struggles that business is faced with. The author’s expertize in systemic interventions is based on extensive practitioner experience, having been trained and certified as a systemic coach and facilitator, and therefore draws upon the work of other skilled practitioners that support companies in finding successful ways to address complexity. Although the article can be easily put in the complexity science and systems thinking area of academic interest, the research questions and insights are intended to serve the learning and the evolution of organizations.

scholarly journals DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DIVERGENCE OF MANAGEMENT ITEM BANK FACING THE ERA OF SOCIETY 5.0

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-77
Author(s):  
Nur Muhammaditya ◽  
Sudarsono Hardjosoekarto
Keyword(s):  
Data Mining ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Programming Languages ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

Artikel ini bertujuan menganalisis divergensi aktor-individual dalam pengelolaan bank soal digital menghadapi kebutuhan pemanfaatan big data pada masyarakat era 5.0. Kompleksitas divergensi tata kelola organisasi dilihat dari pendekatan berpikir sistem dimulai dari identifikasi permasalahan, pembuatan model konseptual, serta usulan yang berbasis tindakan secara menyeluruh dari setiap pemangku kepentingan. Ragam metode berpikir sistem yang digunakan berupa Soft Systems Methodology untuk menjawab pertanyaan penelitian yang menganalisis secara keseluruhan pemikiran, perkataan, dan tindakan pemilikmasalah. Hasil dari pendekatan sistem menunjukkan, transformasi digital di dalam pengelolaan bank soal mengalami hambatan ketercapaian pemanfaatan big data karena adanya divergensi institusional berupa hibridasi tata kelola administrasi publik yang disebabkan oleh mekanisme power, attraction, dan mimesis. Solusi yang dapat dilakukan dalam mendorong percepatan transformasi digital pertama terletak pada aspek power di level makro perlu adanya tata ulang aturan kelembagaan tranformasi digital yang terarahdan spesifik. Kedua pada aspek attraction perlu adanya penguasaan kompetensi bahasa pemrograman, data base enginering, dan data mining di setiap pegawai yang terlibat. Ketiga, pada aspek mimesis, organisasi dapat merujuk pada praktik terbaik keberhasilan organisasi lain. Kesimpulan penelitian menunjukkan terdapat dua belas aktivitas divergensi aktor individual yang menyebabkan hibridasi administrasi publik dan empat di antaranya mendukung perwujudan tranformasi digital. This article aims to analyze the divergence of individual actors in managing digital item banks in facing the needs of using big data in the 5.0 eras. The complexity of divergence in organizational governance captured from the systems thinking approach starting from the problems of making, conceptual models, and based on the overall actions of each stakeholder. Various systems thinking methods are used in the form of Soft Systems Methodology to answer research questions that analyse the overall thoughts, words, andactions of the problem owner. The results of the systems approach show that digital transformation in bank management is experiencing obstacles to achieving the use of big data due to institutional divergences in the form of hybridization in public administration governance caused by power, attractiveness and mimesis. The solution that can be done in encouraging the acceleration of the first digital transformation lies in the aspect of power at the macro level, there is a need for a directed and specific restructuring of the digitaltransformation institutional rules. Second, in the aspect of attraction, it is necessary to master the competence of programming languages, database techniques, and data mining for every employee involved. Third, in the mimetic aspect, organizations can refer to the best practices of other organizations’ success. The conclusion of the study shows that there are twelve individual actor-divergent activities that cause hybridization of public administration and four support the realization of the digital transformation.

Collaborative Design

2011 ◽  
pp. 202-221
Author(s):  
Anita Mirijamdotter ◽  
Mary M. Somerville
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Collaborative Design ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
American University ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Soft Systems Thinking ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Organizational Leader

Within the context of a three year applied research project conducted from 2003-2006 in a North American university library, staff were encouraged to reconsider organizational assumptions and design processes. The project involved an organizational leader and an external consultant who introduced and collaboratively applied Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) practice. Project results suggest the efficacy of using ‘soft’ systems thinking to guide interaction (re)design of technology-enabled environments, systems, and tools. In addition, participants attained insights into their new roles and responsibilities within a dynamically changing higher education environment. Project participants also applied SSM to redesign ‘in house’ information systems. The process of employing systems thinking practices to activate and advance organizational (re)learning, and initiating and elaborating user-centered interaction (re) design practices, culminated in a collaborative design (co-design) approach that readied participants for nimble responsiveness to continuous changes in the dynamic external environment.

Using a Systems Thinking Perspective to Construct and Apply an Evaluation Approach of Technology-Based Information Systems

2010 ◽  
pp. 294-309
Author(s):  
Hajer Kefi
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Data Warehouse ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Problematic Situation ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Evaluation Approach

In this article, we use soft systems methodology and complexity modeling to build an evaluation approach of a data warehouse implemented in a leading European financial institution. This approach consists in building a theoretical model to be used as a purposeful observation lens, producing a clear picture of the problematic situation under study and aimed at providing knowledge to prescribe corrective actions.

An Introduction to Soft Systems Methodology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-31
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Real World ◽  
Conceptual Modeling ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Organizational Analysis ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Soft Systems Thinking

Soft systems methodology (SSM) is the outcome of a real-world action research program that uses the idea of systems to improve poorly defined, so-called soft problem areas. Theory and practice of SSM arouse interest and encourage discussions from various backgrounds by academics and practitioners. In order to introduce SSM for use in the real world, this chapter begins with different definitions and methodologies of systems thinking. Then, SSM defines the seven technical analysis steps, including the soft systems thinking and the necessary techniques such as rich picture, CATWOE analysis, root definition, and conceptual modeling. SSM has organizational analysis and practical applications in the industry sector that are reviewed and classified.

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