Hard Systems Model of Change (HSMC) – based on methods from systems engineering (SE), operational research (OR) and project management (PM). With HSMC, easier to determine objectives, find options for action and test them against criteria. HSMC has three phases: 1) Description Description of current system. Explain why change is Continue Reading
03 – Hard and Soft Systems & the IS context
Unit – Hard and Soft Systems and the IS context
Role of Hard Systems
Hard Systems prevalent way of viewing world. Operational Research (OR) developed in 1940s, during World War 2 by Allied forces. Quantitative techniques and incorporation of logistics. Used to plan and deploy resources in Normandy beach landing. Also used in Enigma project – German submarine code cracking. Hard systems approach systematically Continue Reading
Introduction
Looking at two case studies focussing on agricultural industries and world of information systems. Illustrating complexity of modern world and interdependence of disparate players. Environment consists of many complex systems – biological systems to ecosystems to economic systems. Complex systems have many common structural and functional features – can be Continue Reading
Classification of Hard and Soft Systems
Problem situations classified along two dimensions, according to Jackson and Keys (1984): complexity – number of of elements and their interactions divergence of values and interests Low complexity – few elements and well-defined, linear, stationary interactions. High complexity – many elements, many interrelationships, dynamic and not well-understood relationships in turbulent Continue Reading
Hard Systems – introduction
Systems Thinking has concept of Hard and Soft Systems as previously covered. Hard Systems traditional approach from 1930s. Soft Systems formalised by Peter Checkland in 1970s. Examples of Hard Systems approaches: traditional MS/OR RAND (developed around 1955) systems engineering system dynamics (developed 1956) Approaches based on following assumptions: Clearly defined Continue Reading