Ackoff defines difficulty as: Situation is bounded – possible to identify system(s) involved. Problem(s) easily identified. Possible solutions can be identified. Timescales are limited or predictable. Limited/known number of stakeholders and groups involved. Both Hard and Soft systems have a cycle/iterative approach. Hard systems go into maintenance and back to Continue Reading
Learning
Learning and development resources and notes.
Mess and Difficulty – Mess
Ackoffs mess & difficulty useful for deciding to take hard or soft approach. Mess: Unbounded -difficult to identify boundaries, concept of boundary important in defining system. Problem(s) are unclear. No visible solutions – relates to not knowing what problem is. Many stakeholders and groups therefore many perspectives. Timescales long term.
Soft systems arrive
Concept – 1970s, driven by Peter Checkland. Checkland and Russell Ackoff acknowledged Hard Systems was mature but still problems where implemented and approach not always suitable. Ackoff (1974) – messes – often not possible to soleve – and difficulties – something solvable. Checkland – complexity, where involved, not always possible Continue Reading
The Wicked Problems
Situations containing complex systems – “wicked problem”, Horst Rittel in 1970s. – Easy problems have been solved, only difficult ones left as they cannot be defined let alone resolved. Ten significant characteristics (Webber and Rittel, 1973): No definitive formulation e.g. problem of poverty in Texas is very similar but subtly Continue Reading
Design and Complexity
Four areas where design and complexity interact – Johnson (2006). Many designed systems are complex e.g. aeroplanes, cities, information systems, organisations. Designers need to understand complex dynamic processes used to fabricate & manufacture products & systems – design, product & processes c0-evolve. Social & economic context of design is complex. Continue Reading
Soft Systems Introduction
Define and discuss Soft Systems approaches. Hard systems also known as mechanical systems – behaviours & boundaries can be successfully described in mechanical terms. Soft systems: fuzzy boundaries. Parts/elements difficult to identify. Hard systems thinking: maximise efficiency of system. Soft systems thinking: inclusive of different perspectives. Systems thinking assumes system Continue Reading
A Business example approach
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
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