Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology Research Articles

Pendidikan dan Pandemik Covid-19 (Pengalaman dari Arab Saudi dalam Perspektif Soft Sytem Methodology (SSM))

Information communication technology (ICT) continues to increase human activities. Higher Education Institutions around the world have used this technology to enhance learning experiences and overcome geographic barriers in the creation and delivery of educational knowledge. In this context, online distance education (PJJ) has become popular in Higher Education as an educational process that can help them achieve international prestige as well as increase their student numbers through ICT-based learning. Including in the current Covid-19 pandemic era, the PJJ method is the only solution in this pandemic. However, the successful implementation of PJJ using ICT presents a number of challenges. This paper explores institutional, technological, cultural and learner challenges, the manifestation of which can vary from country to country using Checkland's Soft System Methodology (SSM) as a learning methodology. We present an empirical examination of the challenges of PJJ in the context of Saudi culture during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modelo pedagógico de integración sinérgica para la enseñanza de las ciencias experimentales

En un mundo cada vez más globalizado, con un mayor número de avances científicos y tecnológicos, se requiere que los estudiantes tengan una formación científica que les permita estar a la vanguardia de las necesidades actuales. Por ende, es necesario dejar de lado los paradigmas tradicionales y posicionar en su lugar modelos que integren diversos enfoques que se ajusten a la complejidad del contexto. El objetivo de este estudio es, en primer lugar, revisar modelos pedagógicos que contribuyan a mejorar el aprendizaje de las asignaturas que conforman el área de ciencias experimentales, y en segundo, proponer un modelo pedagógico de integración sinérgica que permita promover un proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje que sea consistente con los requerimientos de la sociedad actual y con ello propiciar el interés de los estudiantes hacia el estudio de estas áreas.
 Para alcanzar lo anterior se utilizó la metodología de sistemas suaves de Checkland, que estudia a los sistemas flexibles que poseen un alto componente social, cultural y político, como lo es el ámbito educativo, y obtener así una propuesta cimentada en los modelos constructivista, social-cognitivo, pensamiento complejo y ecológico contextual con un enfoque eco-ciber-sistémico-transdisciplinario. Esta investigación es parte de una primera etapa que incluye la visión holística de la enseñanza de las ciencias experimentales. Posteriormente se realizará un estudio de caso en el Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades plantel Vallejo.

An SSM‐TRIZ Methodology for Business Problem Structuring

AbstractCheckland developed Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to address problem situations from a systems perspective; however, SSM needs to be extended with other methods to find superior solutions that overcome the need for a compromise or trade‐off between conflicting or contradictory elements. This paper extends Checkland's SSM approach to resolve problems with conflicting or contradictory elements. This work integrates the powerful benefits of TRIZ‐based analysis into SSM and provides a means for systemic resolution of business problems with conflicting sub‐system elements. This paper acknowledges that soft problems can have conflicting relationships among their elements, compares the strengths and weaknesses of SSM and TRIZ in problem structuring, and presents a collaborative SSM‐TRIZ approach for problem structuring. Finally, this paper applies the joint methodology to examine the business problem of developing a Professional Development platform for INCOSE. Although SSM‐TRIZ helps structure problems with opposing requirements, it does not always provide definitive, prescriptive solution implementations for technical and business issues. Hence, hard thinking approaches cannot be discarded in practice after implementing SSM‐TRIZ.

Using SSM to Approach Complex Problematical Situations in Learning, Teaching and Assessment Management

Chinese higher education has moved into a popularized and internationalization stage, which makes the traditional learning, teaching and assessment (LTA) management challenging and sometimes problematical. This paper introduces how to approach complex problematical situations in LTA management by using Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) at the Business College of the Beijing Union University (BCBUU) in China. Through this case study of seven years, the author made sense of and improved the problematical situations. It is found that SSM provides LTA managers with an innovative and fundamental methodology to appreciate otherwise seemingly unapproachable and unmanageable complex and ill-structured problem situations that they face. It is also proven that the case study of SSM in the context of LTA management in a Chinese college is practically effective.

An empirical study of challenges in online distance education in Saudi Arabia

Information communication technologies (ICTs) are constantly improving and increasing human activities. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the world are using these technologies to enhance learning experiences and overcome geographical barriers in the creation and delivery of educational knowledge. In this context, online distance education (ODE) has become popular in HEIs as process of education that can help them achieve international prestige as well as increase their student numbers via ICT-based learning. However, successful implementation of ODE using ICT presents a number of challenges. This paper explores challenges of institutional, technological, cultural and learner, whose manifestations can vary from one country to another using Checkland soft systems methodology as a learning methodology. We present an empirical examination of ODE challenges in the Saudi cultural context in King Abdulaziz University during the academic year 2014–2015. The outcome of the empirical work addresses additional challenges that will help future designers and managers of ODE towards successful ODE implementation.

Adapting nurse competence to future patient needs using Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology

BackgroundNew emerging technologies, health globalization, demographic change, new healthcare paradigms, advances in healthcare delivery and social networking will change the needs of patients in the future and consequently will require that new knowledge, competence and skill sets be acquired by nurses. MethodCheckland's Soft Systems Methodology, focusing on the enriched CATWOE and PQR elements of the root definitions, combined with our own developed “Too much – Too little constraint” approach was used to devise impending knowledge, competence and skill sets. ResultsThe analysis revealed ten needs among patients of the future, 63 constraints and 18 knowledge, competence and skill sets for the future nurse. ConclusionThe completed study showed that SSM is an appropriate tool for high level structuring of a “messy” real-world problem situation to meet prospective nursing challenges.

Assessing the Potential Improvement an Open Systems Development Perspective Could Offer to the Software Evolution Paradigm

Emerging stakeholder needs and a changing environment drive increasing demands for the constant adaption of software through maintenance and new capability development. A more evolutionary software engineering approach is sought to improve engineering responsiveness; Open System Development appears to offer a partial contribution but presents many challenges. This exploratory research proposes a new definition of the evolution of complex engineered systems, building on the essential features of ‘openness' described by Cowling et al (2014) and Lehman's (1980) ideas of evolutionary software. Using Checkland's (1999) Soft System Methodology enabled a structured literature review and analysis of the relative contributions of three divergent methodologies to the success of systems outcomes. These methodologies are: Plan-Driven, Agile, and Open Source Software Development. The analysis reveals several opportunities and highlights the critical issue of determining return on investment which needs to be overcome if an open approach is to contribute to evolutionary software engineering.

A logistics support framework: a systems-based approach to logistics planning for development projects

Logistics support plays a critical role in the delivery of quality health care services, particularly in developing countries. This study utilised systems methodology and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) analysis to develop a support framework for a Vision Centre in rural Vietnam. The methodology employs elements of both “soft” (in particular Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology approach) and “hard” systems practices to develop an accessible and robust logistics planning tool.

Using Critical Systems Heuristics to Guide Second‐Order Critique of Systemic Practice: Exploring the Environmental Impact of Mining Operations in Southern Peru

A framework based on Ulrich's critical systems heuristics (CSH) is presented to organize second‐order critical inquiry in systems practice and action research. It is argued that such an approach not only improves the rigour of systems methodologies in action in a specific ‘situation of interest’ but also brings rigour to research aimed at improving systems practice. The paper draws on critical systems heuristics and illustrates its application in the context of an intervention using Checkland's soft systems methodology to discuss the environmental impact of mining operations in southern Peru. We sketch the context in which the systemic intervention was carried out, reporting on the initial soft systems methodology stages (relevant systems, root definitions and CATWOE analysis) produced in workshops with stakeholders. The paper illustrates how learning about improvement in systems practice can be guided with the use of second‐order boundary critique. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

9.2.1 The One‐eyed Systems Engineer – Pirate or Prophet?: An analysis of the effectiveness of different systems engineering leadership styles

Abstract‘In the land of the blind, the one‐eyed man is king‘. This is particularly true in leading the introduction of Systems Engineering in a new domain. This could be in a sector new to Systems Engineering, such as transportation or biomedical. It could also be a new application in a traditional sector, such as system of systems or service engineering in defence. The challenges are many: there are few case studies; immature processes; limited tools and best practice; and data and information are missing. Yet in sectors such as transportation and infrastructure there is a strong demand to do something that will improve value for money – and a one‐eyed systems engineer can make a persuasive case for investing in Systems Engineering.So is the one‐eyed systems engineer a prophet – leading their organisation through the wilderness to the Promised Land? Are they a pragmatist, supporting the prophet and making sure that they deliver what the prophet has promised? Are they a perfectionist, who knows that if the Systems Engineering process is followed diligently it will deliver significant benefits? Or are they a pirate, selling shoddy Systems Engineering practice to desperate customers?This paper employs Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology to explore the different types of Systems Engineering leadership that the authors have seen across multiple sectors. It examines the associated mindset, approaches, values and personality types of the leaders. The paper illustrates the applicability of the different types of leadership to different situations using examples from the UK rail and defence industries. The analysis demonstrates the importance of deploying the right type of Systems Engineering leadership, illustrating the potential pitfalls of mismatching organisational context and Systems Engineering leadership style, and highlighting the non‐Systems Engineering skills and competencies that are essential to realising real value through Systems Engineering.

Beyond problem solving: Realising organisational intelligence in dynamic contexts

This article provides an overview of the knowledge management challenges for practitioners and examines the extent to which existing information systems and operational research modelling approaches cater for the practice of knowledge management. It concludes that the current focus of modelling approaches on problem solving needs to be extended in order to deal with the human and social aspects of practice. It provides an example of how this can be done by using Checkland's soft systems methodology in conjunction with Merali's Cognitive Congruence Framework.

Rich Pictures: A Tool for Facilitating Reflective Theology

Theological reflection has become a popular activity with a number of texts being devoted to this area. However, there is a relative dearth of tools for evaluating the experiential situation within a framework of scientifically gathered data. This article explores the concept of rich pictures from Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology as a tool for supporting theological reflection. As an illustration of the method, the scenario of an Anglican parish in which the researcher evaluated an extended Communion scheme is used. The conclusion is that rich pictures are extremely useful and helpful for theological reflection, especially providing a scientific base for decisions and actions as well as recognizing the personal position of the researcher.

Challenge from the philosophy of scientific practice and New Empiricism

AbstractIn this paper the author discusses: (1) the basic characteristics of the concept of Traditional Chinese Systems views, including the concepts of Universalism and unified systems and the concepts of Fundamentalism and Holism systems; (2) the concepts of Pluralistic and local systems embedded in the Philosophy of Scientific Practice and New Empiricism; (3) the necessity of Local Realism to Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology and the significance of social organization and management embedded in the concepts of pluralistic and local systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An approach applying SSM to problem situations of interests conflicts: Interests‐coordination SSM

AbstractCheckland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) made an epoch‐making contribution to systems research. This paper researches Interests‐coordination SSM (ISSM), an approach of applying SSM to deal with the problem of interests conflict. We think there is a hierarchy of the systems methodologies for problem solving. ISSM is at the level lower than the level of Checkland's SSM in the hierarchy and is specially designed for dealing with the soft problem of interests conflict. The soft problem of interests conflict and the Interest Man assumption are ISSM's theoretical foundation. Therefore this paper first, on the basis of phenomenology, researches the implications of interests conflict, soft problem of interests conflict and Interests Man assumption, then presents the ideas that in the soft problem of interests conflict the man is an Interests Man, the interests of Interests Man include not only egotistic but also altruistic aspects and that the game behaviour is the fundamental behaviour of the Interests Man. Afterwards this paper, studies the practical logic stages of ISSM on the basis of these ideas. The key point of ISSM is how to make the accommodations between conflicting interests via the process of interests coordination and game. At the end a case is introduced in that we successfully used the ISSM to direct the implementation of a Knowledge Management (KM) project in an enterprise of China. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The theoretical underpinnings of soft systems methodology—comparing the work of Geoffrey Vickers and Humberto Maturana

AbstractThis paper seeks to juxtapose the work of Sir Geoffrey Vickers and Humberto Maturana with a view to thinking more about the theoretical underpinnings of Peter Checkland's soft systems methodology (SSM) and of soft systems and soft operational research more generally. The paper argues that Maturana's ‘Theory of the Observer’ can usefully complement Vickers by specifying more precisely the nature of the cognitive structures that underpin people's descriptions of situations, by clarifying the relationship between cognitive creativity and the historical and relational constraints that bear upon people's descriptions and explanations, and by providing a more complete description of the dynamics that underpin individual and social learning. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An analytical approach for constructing and measuring concepts

Conceptual models are a necessary component of strategic thinking as they provide a basis upon which to consider the implications of change in dynamic evolving systems. However, the thoroughness and robustness of the strategic thinking is often limited in utility if the conceptual models are poorly constructed. Here we describe a problem structuring approach for constructing and measuring conceptual models that overcomes such limitations. This approach defines a basic construct for a concept. Detailed concepts are then defined using this in conjunction with aspects of Checkland's Soft System Methodology. Importantly it allows determination of the relevant context for such concepts. In addition, a set of high-level metrics is defined so as to provide a mechanism for evaluating the ‘goodness’ of a conceptual model, particularly in terms of maturity and particularity.

A philosophical discussion of the root definition in soft systems thinking: an enrichment of CATWOE

After a brief review of some problems in CATWOE analysis in Checkland's soft systems methodology, we suggest that they may be ameliorated by employing Dooyeweerd's multi-aspectual philosophy. A systematic approach is taken to reconceptualize each element of CATWOE within a Dooyeweerdian framework, the relevant portions of which are explained. In the process our understanding of CATWOE is enriched and made easier for the SSM apprentice to grasp. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

5.5.2 Application of SSM and Architecture Frameworks as a Method of Enquiry for Organisational Behaviour

AbstractSystems engineering is traditionally used as a method of design. In this study, it has been used as a method of enquiry into organisational behaviour in a sociotechnical system. A mix of methodologies from both the functionalist and interpretative social paradigms has been adopted. The methodology mix comprises Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Structured Analysis and Design Techniques. This hybrid methodology allowed the use of rich pictures and architectural models to analyse organisational behaviour from two representative views: the human activity system and the operational architecture.The paper relates the goals of developing an understanding of the current organisational operational behaviour and then discusses the use of methodological pluralism, its rationale and the use of a revised Total Systems Intervention (TSI) model by Jackson based on contemporary critical systems thinking as a checklist for pluralism. The hybrid methodology using both soft and hard methods employed rich pictures and Defence Architecture Framework (DAF) compliant architecture models (AS‐IS views) to enquire into organisational behaviour. The DAF models represented both the perceived and actual state of operations. Comparison of the DAF models correlated with the SSM derived rich pictures and issues log were used to develop an understanding of the organisational behaviour as well as produce an updated operational architecture. Recommendations for change were made to senior management. We finish the paper with a 12‐point lessons learnt discussion of our experiences in doing this study. We conclude that the use of a pluralist systems engineering approach as a method of enquiry into sociotechnical organisational behaviour can provide a richer understanding of operational behaviour as it complements the human activity systems view with the operational architecture views. The pluralist approach is methodologically sound and Jackson's modified TSI provides an evaluation checklist.

A critical systems intervention to improve the implementation of a district health system in KwaZulu–Natal

AbstractThis paper reports on a critical systems inquiry into the complexities of the implementation of a District Health System in the KwaZulu–Natal province of post‐Apartheid South Africa. The inquiry process, which was ‘governed’ by Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and followed the four‐phase learning cycle developed by Kolb, produced ‘conceptual models’ which enabled participant stakeholders to gain fresh perspectives on the context and, in so doing, to get the implementation process ‘unstuck’. At the theoretical/methodological level the paper contributes to the growing literature on the combination of systems methods by illustrating how conceptual models of purposeful human activity, a method intrinsic to SSM, were constructed from the participatory use of Concept Maps and Sign‐graph Diagrams. We also reflect on the interrelationship between methodology/method combination and two other aspects of the intervention that we considered to be important for maintaining the ‘systemicity’ of the intervention, viz., the inquiry context and boundary critique. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Problems and Issues in Using Computer- Based Support Tools to Enhance 'Soft' Systems Methodologies

This paper explores the issue of whether computer-based support tools can enhance the use of 'soft' systems methodologies as applied to real-world problem situations. Although work has been carried out by a number of researchers in applying computer-based technology to concepts and methodologies relating to 'soft' systems thinking such as Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), such attempts appear to be still in their infancy and have not been applied widely to real-world problem situations. This paper will highlight some of the problems that may be encountered in attempting to develop computer-based support tools for 'soft' systems methodologies. Particular attention will be paid to an attempt by the author to develop a computer-based support tool for a particular 'soft' systems method of inquiry known as the Appreciative Inquiry Method that is based upon Vickers' notion of 'appreciation' (Vickers, 196S) and Checkland's SSM (Checkland, 1981). The final part of the paper will explore some of the lessons learnt from developing and applying the computer-based support tool to a real world problem situation, as well as considering the feasibility of developing computer-based support tools for 'soft' systems methodologies. This paper will put forward the point that a mixture of manual and computer-based tools should be employed to allow a methodology to be used in an unconstrained manner, but the benefits provided by computer-based technology should be utilised in supporting and enhancing the more mundane and structured tasks.