Soft Systems Methodolgy

Soft Systems Methodolgy is a methodology used to help analyze complex organisational problems. Systems methodologies help manage change. The seven stages of soft systems methodology (SSM)
Stage 1 The Problem Situation Unstructured
Stage 2 The Situation Analysed
Develop a Rich Picture. List issues and key tasks to be undertaken in the problem situation
Stage 3 Relevant Systems and Root Definitions
The issues and tasks are the basis of the relevant systems. Create a root definition of relevant systems. The Mnemonic CATWOE analysis helps in creating a 'root definition' and expressing the problem situation.

• Customers who (or what) benefits from this transformation
• Actors who facilitates the transformation to these customers
• Transformation from start to finish
• Weltanschauung what gives the transformation some meaning.
• Owner to whom the system is answerable and/or could cause it not to exist
• Environment that influences but does not control the system

Stage 4 Conceptual Model
Using the root definition you draw up a conceptual model
Stage 5 Comparison of Stages 2 (real world situations) and 4 (conceptual model)
Stage 6 Debate on Feasible and Desirable Changes
Stage 7 Implement Changes

Failures Methodolgy

The failures methodology is a method which is used to analyse, develop a clear understanding and insight of the failure which arises as a result of an assessment of an outcome from a activity. Failures can occur in the past, present or future and it can be a shortfall of performance below a standard. A failure can be catastrophic or minor, partial, sudden or slow. Failures are likely to be multi-causal and have multiple affects.

The methodology compares paradigms, a theoretical framework or set of concepts on which a theory can be based, against the situation. The first paradigm that is always used is the Formal Systems paradigm. This contains a decision making subsystem, a performance monitoring subsystem along with looking at the wider system environment. This provides a structural framework on which to start. The methodology contains iterative loops and uses other paradigm comparisons. Other paradigms are control, communication, human factors, engineering reliability, forecasting and planning. These are then interpreted against no or many discrepancies and whether the results do augurs well or bodes ill.

Hard Systems Methodolgy

The core of hard systems thinking is mathematical and its approach based on engineering perspective. This is like hypotheses where statements are put forward and the conditions tested and results observed.

Stage 1 Systems description (where are you now?)
Stage 2 Identification of objective and constraints (where would you like to get to and what stops you?)
Stage 3 Generation of routes to objectives (how could you get there?)
Stage 4 Formulation measures of performance (how will you know where you have arrive?)
Stage 5 Modelling (how can you tell the outcomes?)
Stage 6 Evaluation (what are the likely outcomes?)
Stage 7 Choice of routes to objectives (chose the best?)
Stage 8 Implementation
More information on these can be found from The Open University courses.