Soft Systems Thinking Research Articles

Critical considerations in the development of systems thinking and practice

This paper is concerned with the development of ‘Systems Thinking.’ In particular, it considers and critiques ‘traditional Systems Thinking’ within the framework of Critical Systems Thinking. Before embarking on such a venture it is necessary to derive a base context from which to develop argument and analysis. Therefore the outline of this paper is as follows: A contextual setting for Systems Thinking, Theoretical Considerations, Soft Systems Thinking and Methodology, and A Critical Systems Thinking (CST) approach. The account of the development of Systems Thinking is followed by a synopsis of a theoretical framework for Systems Thinking which will allow us to gain an understanding of contemporary views. The paper then goes on to review SSM and CST in order to provide a platform for a critique of traditional forms of Systems Thinking. The final section briefly discusses the applicability of CST to the ‘real-world’ context by outlining some current studies being undertaken by the author.

Putting Soft OR Methods to Work: Information Systems Strategy Development at Sainsbury's

The development of a new information systems (IS) strategy for a major UK food and grocery retailer is described. The approach taken was highly participative and made use of a number of models and methods developed by the advocates of soft OR and systems thinking. The resulting process was successful in delivering a strategy developed by management, with commitment to implement it. In addition, the teamwork across functional boundaries was recognized as valuable management development.

Beyond value engineering: smart value management for building projects

The paper distinguishes between value management and value engineering on the basis of their underlying assumptions. The traditional approach to value engineering is analysed, and is found to reflect the optimizing paradigm of hard systems thinking. In contrast, the alternative approach offered by value management is based on the learning paradigm of soft systems thinking. While the objectives of value engineering are dominated by cost reduction, the purpose of value management is to develop a common understanding of the design problem and to identify explicitly an agreed statement of design objectives by the project stakeholders. smart value management is introduced as the means by which these ends can be achieved. It is further suggested that this approach enables project managers to exert an increased level of control over the early stages of building design. It also ensures that different interest groups within the client organization are actively involved in the design process, and that they thus ‘buy in’ to the decisions which are made.

Critical Systems Thinking: Directed Readings

BEYOND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH AND HARD SYSTEMS THINKING: Operations Research as a Profession The Future of Operational Research is Past From Optimizing to Learning THE BREAK WITH SOFT SYSTEMS THINKING: Marxism and Systems Research Critical Heuristics of Social Systems Design Social Systems Theory and Practice Towards a System of Systems Methodologies Methodological Foundations of Systems Methodologies Testament to Conversations on Critical Systems Thinking Between Two Systems Practitioners CONTEMPORARY CRITICAL SYSTEMS THEORY AND PRACTICE: Critical Systems Thinking in the 1980s Between Systems Thinking and Systems Practice Systems Thinking, Systems Practice and Practical Philosophy Power-Ideology Matrix in Social Systems Control Modernism, Postmodernism and Contemporary Systems Thinking Redefining the Management and Systems Sciences Total Systems Intervention.