scholarly journals A Combined Value Focused Thinking-Soft Systems Methodology Approach to Structure Decision Support for Energy Performance Assessment of School Buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermano Bernardo ◽  
Adélio Gaspar ◽  
Carlos Henggeler Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
School Buildings ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Value Focused Thinking

scholarly journals USING SSM FOR STRUCTURING DECISION SUPPORT IN URBAN ENERGY PLANNING / OPERACINĖS SISTEMOS METODOLOGIJOS TAIKYMAS PLANUOJANT MIESTO ENERGETIKĄ

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulce Coelho ◽  
Carlos Henggeler Antunes ◽  
António Gomes Martins
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Energy Planning ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Real World Problem ◽  
Urban Energy

This paper describes the use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a tool for problem structuring, which is the first phase encompassed in a methodological approach currently under development to provide decision support based on Multi‐Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in energy planning problems in an urban context. In order to apply the methodology to a real‐world problem, a medium sized Portuguese city has been chosen as the decision setting. SSM is used for characterizing as precisely as possible the decision problem context, identifying the main stakeholders and their relations, and discerning the relevant criteria at stake for each one. Future work directions based on this phase are also envisaged. Santrauka Straipsnyje aprašoma operacinės sistemos metodologija (OSM), kuri bus taikoma kaip daugiakriterinės analizės metodais pagrįsta sprendimų paramos sistema miesto energetikos planavimo problemoms spręsti. Siekiant metodologiją pritaikyti realiame gyvenime, eksperimentui buvo parinktas vidutinio dydžio Portugalijos miestas. Operacines sistemos metodologija taikyta kuo tiksliau nustatant pagrindines problemas, identifikuojant pagrindines suinteresuotas šalis ir jų santykius, nustatant vienas kitam įtaka darančius rodiklius. Numatytos būsimos darbo kryptys.

A SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY APPROACH TO IMPROVING THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99
Author(s):  
Lewis Tsuro ◽  
Stan Hardman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Soft Systems Methodology ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Systems Methodology ◽  
Soft Systems

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed as a set of tools for identifying and making incremental steps to improve situations with poorly defined causes or solutions. The supply chain forms a key process of any construction project; however, on any given construction site, supply chain inefficiencies could arise from many different avenues. Opinions vary, though, on which of these avenues is more important for increasing supply chain efficiencies; whether any problem even exist across the different aspects of the supply chain; as well as what steps should be taken to resolve them. It was therefore studied, here, whether SSM could be employed as a useful tool to systematically apply in the supply chains of a construction project in South Africa, for understanding and targeting the problematic situations that arise. Following thorough cyclical open-ended interviews with 17 workers, supervisors, foremen, site clerks, senior managers, and the CEO of the principal contractor at a new office park construction project in Rosebank, Johannesburg, and a thematic analysis of the data, SSM was performed to understand the existing challenges, and develop a suitable model for improvement. The study found that SSM was a good tool for understanding the ‘messy’ circumstances surrounding the chosen construction project supply chain, as well as actions that could be taken to improve the supply chain’s efficiency on site. The findings add weight to the argument that SSM could be a good tool for project managers to systematically introduce into their project planning regimens

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document