Soft Systems and Observation

1. Soft Systems and Observation XunNie Benjamin Bernhardt Nathan Argroves

2. Soft Systems Methodology • Brief Definition Soft systems methodology is a systemic approach for tracking real-world problematic situations. • By who? SSM is developed by Peter Checkland in the late 60’s at the University of Lancaster in the UK. • The heart of SSM A comparison between the world as it is, and some models of the world as it might be.

3. Soft Systems Methodology • What is it? It is a qualitative research technology which use systemic thinking solving unsystematic problems. It develops models, although the models are not supposed to represent the “real-world”, but by using systems rules and principles allow you to structure your thinking about the real world.

4. 7 Stages: 1 & 2 • Stage 1: Define Situation • Acknowledge, explore, define the problem situation • Stage 2: Enrich Situation • Express the issue in all its “richness” • Structures • Processes • Climate • People • Issues expressed by people • Conflicts

5. 7 Stages: 3 & 4 • Stage 3: Root Definitions of Relevant Systems • CATWOE • BATWOVE • Stage 4: Developing the Model • Define activities (7 plus/minus 2) • Arrange based on dependencies

6. 7 Stages: 5, 6, 7 • Stage 5: Comparison of Model and Real World • Use same model for real world • Stage 6: Develop Interventions • Alternative systems analysis • Social and political analysis • Stage 7: Improvement Action • Decide whether to start a new cycle or end

7. Observation and Social Analysis • Also known as ethnography. • “The science of contextualization” • It is a way to collect data across or do research on a particular person, society, or culture. • Can involve passively observing the culture and its people to learn about them. • Can involve interacting with people in a particular area through interviews and simple conversation.

8. Guidelines for Submitting/Presenting Ethnographical Data • Should present sufficient evidence that you spent considerable time interacting with a culture or society. • Should include some recorded or transcribed interviews or conversations. • Should present all additional data including: your feelings or behaviors, conflicts, impact of your activities on the culture, and your understanding of the culture. • Should include any quantitative data discovered if it applies.

9. Viewpoints • The final ethnographical results are comprised of a person’s viewpoints on a certain person or group. • Typical ethnography documents present views on where a culture begins and ends. • Documents also provide views about ethics.