Learning For Action: A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology, and Its Use for Practitioners, Teachers and StudentsAfter an explanation of the book's purpose, the authors provide in Part 1 first an overview of SSM as a whole, then a fleshed-out account with just enough detail and advice to enable the reader to set about using the approach in problem situations of concern. Part 2 describes examples of SSM in action and also pays special attention to one of the most common application areas: that of work in the information system/information technology field. A final chapter in part 2 discusses the difficulties some people have in grasping the true nature of SSM, drawing attention to the inadequacies in much of the secondary literature. Appendices provide an outline of the theoretical considerations which underpin SSM, a guide to sources of further information and illustrations of some of SSM's techniques. |
Contents
A Skeleton Account of SSM | 3 |
A Fleshedout Account of SSM | 23 |
SSM in Action in Management Situations | 67 |
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Common terms and phrases
account of SSM achieve action research action to improve Adam Cliff Appreciate approach carried CATWOE Chapter client complexity concept concerned consultants Define criteria described different worldviews discussion efficacy emerged enabling entails evaluation example experience framework Holwell hospital Huddersfield Royal Infirmary human situation ILSD information systems interaction issue owners Issue-based John Wiley judgement Lancaster University learning cycle model building models of purposeful Monitor National Health Service norms organization outcome physical assets practitioner principles process of inquiry purposeful activity models questions real situation real-world problematical situation relevant Rich Picture role Root Definition shown in Figure skills social reality Soft Systems Methodology SSADM SSM in Action SSM-based SSM's structure systems ideas systems thinking Take control action terotechnology theory tion transformed UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Viable System Model whole Wiley & Sons workshops