Relevance, formality, and process: Toward a theory of soft systems practice

Abstract

This paper argues that Relevance, Formality, and Process are themes that form an intellectual structure for making sense of the application of systems methodologies to real‐world problem situations and hence provide a starting point for a theory of soft systems practice. These themes are developed from a consideration of the development and use of Soft Systems Methodology. The core concepts and structure of Soft Systems Methodology are described and then a view of Soft Systems Methodology as a tool for managing inquiry‐based intervention into action‐oriented communities is developed and illustrated. The case studies are then used to explore the themes of relevance, formality, and process and to analyse areas of strength and weakness in Soft Systems Methodology. Copyright