Professional Documents
Culture Documents
systems theory
- systems
analysis
Asystem:
ispartofawidersystem
hasanenvironment
hascomponentsorsubsytems
hasaboundary
- management
hasapurpose?
hascontinuity
hasinputsandoutputs
-engineering
hasmeasuresofperformance
canadapttoexternalshocks
asawholeismore
thanthesumofitsparts
methodology
in SSADM - rigid techniques and
procedures to provide unambiguous
solutions to well-defined data and
processing problems problems, focused
on computer implementations
in SSM - a loose framework of tools to
be used at the discretion of the analyst,
focused on improvements to
organisational problems
SSM
- the
current
picture:
- logic
stream
- cultural
stream
source: Checkland, SSM in Action
problem
situation
expressed
action to
improve the
problem situation
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
comparison of
models and
real world
5
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
systems thinking
about real world
soft problems
situation
considered
problematic
action to
improve the
problem situation
problem
situation
expressed
comparison of
models and
real world
5
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
perceived discomfort
poorly defined mess (Ackoff)
human complications
unsuited to hard systems or
OR techniques
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
systems thinking
about real world
rich pictures
observation
coffeetime yet?
boundary
crossed swords
=friction
idea!
10
situation
considered
problematic
action to
improve the
problem situation
problem
situation
expressed
comparison of
models and
real world
5
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
systems thinking
about real world
11
12
root definitions
situation
considered
problematic
problem
situation
expressed
comparison of
models and
real world
5
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
action to
improve the
problem situation
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
systems thinking
about real world
13
14
CATWOE analysis
a check to ensure that root
definitions contain most of
Customers
victims or beneficiaries of T
what is the
important
Actors
those who do T
Transformation input output
Weltanschauung the worldview that makes the T
meaningful in context
Owners
those with the power to stop T
Environmental
elements outside the system which
constraints are taken as given, but nevertheless
affect its behaviour
15
example CATWOE
C candidate students
A university staff
T candidate students
degree holders and diplomates
Wthe belief that awarding degrees and diplomas
is a good way of demonstrating the qualities of
candidates to potential
employers
O the University governing body
16
activity
(conceptual)
models
situation
considered
problematic
action to
improve the
problem situation
problem
situation
expressed
comparison of
models and
real world
5
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
systems thinking
about real world
17
activity - do something
cook dinner
example use
eat
dinner
take BIT
examination
18
educate
students
award
degrees + diplomas
to students reaching
acceptable levels
design
education
programmes
allot
resources
appreciate
national
standards
design
and carry out
assessment
19
measures of performance
E1 - efficacy (does the system work, is
the transformation effected)?
E2 - efficiency (the relationship
between the output achieved and the
resources consumed to achieve it)
E3 - effectiveness (is the longer term
goal (Z) achieved)
20
21
22
design
education
programmes
educate
students
allot
resources
award
degrees + diplomas
to students reaching
acceptable levels
design
and carry out
assessment
appreciate
national
standards
monitor for
E1, E2, E3
C
A
T
take control
action
O
candidate students
university staff
candidate students
degree holders and diplomates
the belief that awarding degrees and
diplomas is a good way of demonstrating
the qualities of candidates to potential
employers
the University governing body
national educational and assessment
standards
23
levels of resolution
24
comparison with
the real world
situation
considered
problematic
action to
improve the
problem situation
problem
situation
expressed
comparison of
models and
real world
5
6
changes:
systemically desirable,
culturally feasible
real world
3
root definition
of relevant systems
conceptual models
of systems described
in root definitions 4
systems thinking
about real world
1
2
3