Soft Systems Methodology

Checkland, Peter; Poulter, John

doi:10.1007/978-1-84882-809-4_5

Cited by 311 publications

(264 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…On the other side, soft systems methodology (SSM) imposes a holistic perspective and promotes an action-oriented process of inquiry for tackling problematical and messy situations of all kinds, in which users learn their way from finding out about the situation to taking action to improve it. In the context of CTSs, researchers studied the systems not only within their boundaries, but also their interactions with the embedding environment, following the lines drawn up by Checkland and Poulter (2010). The usefulness of SSM in the development of information systems has been discussed by Winter et al (1995).…”

Section: Methodsological Concernsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An initial categorization of foundational research in complex technical systems

Horváth

2015

J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A

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There has been intense foundational research in complex technical systems (CTSs) over the last half century. These systems are exemplified by advanced mechatronics systems, embedded control systems, real-time systems, agent-based smart systems, distributed software systems, internet of things systems, and cyber-physical systems. The objective of this paper is to offer an initial cataloguing of the various research domains and to identify the major research issues. The paper has an ontological flavour, because it concentrates on what research has been and is being done, rather than on why and how research is done. The underpinning study has been done in three stages: (i) intuition-driven exploration of a reference set of related academic publications, (ii) evidence-based specification of a categorization of the domains and subdomains of research, and (iii) refinement and validation of the proposed classification based on a control set of related academic publications. The proposed reasoning model identifies three categories of research domains. The 'intellectualizations' category includes research domains such as: (i) philosophy, (ii) ontology, and (iii) epistemology of CTSs. The research domains included in the 'realizations' category are: (iv) methodology, and (v) creation of CTSs. The domains considered in the 'influences' category are: (vi) manifestations, and (vii) axiology of CTSs. Based on the proposed reasoning model a landscape of foundational research in CTSs is proposed for public debate. Our follow-up study focuses on the extension of the proposed classification to other families of complex engineered systems such as sociotechnical systems and social ecosystems.

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Section: Methodsological Concernsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An initial categorization of foundational research in complex technical systems

Horváth

2015

J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. A

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“…The framework will be initiated using an iterative process inspired by the Soft System Methodology (SSM) [21]. The SSM method was designed to aid analysis of situations involving groups with interacting perceptions where human-related aspects play an important role.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework for Different Levels of Integration of Computational Models Into Web-Based Virtual Patients

Kononowicz¹,

Narracott²,

Manini³

et al. 2014

J Med Internet Res

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BackgroundVirtual patients are increasingly common tools used in health care education to foster learning of clinical reasoning skills. One potential way to expand their functionality is to augment virtual patients’ interactivity by enriching them with computational models of physiological and pathological processes.ObjectiveThe primary goal of this paper was to propose a conceptual framework for the integration of computational models within virtual patients, with particular focus on (1) characteristics to be addressed while preparing the integration, (2) the extent of the integration, (3) strategies to achieve integration, and (4) methods for evaluating the feasibility of integration. An additional goal was to pilot the first investigation of changing framework variables on altering perceptions of integration.MethodsThe framework was constructed using an iterative process informed by Soft System Methodology. The Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) initiative has been used as a source of new computational models. The technical challenges associated with development of virtual patients enhanced by computational models are discussed from the perspectives of a number of different stakeholders. Concrete design and evaluation steps are discussed in the context of an exemplar virtual patient employing the results of the VPH ARCH project, as well as improvements for future iterations.ResultsThe proposed framework consists of four main elements. The first element is a list of feasibility features characterizing the integration process from three perspectives: the computational modelling researcher, the health care educationalist, and the virtual patient system developer. The second element included three integration levels: basic, where a single set of simulation outcomes is generated for specific nodes in the activity graph; intermediate, involving pre-generation of simulation datasets over a range of input parameters; advanced, including dynamic solution of the model. The third element is the description of four integration strategies, and the last element consisted of evaluation profiles specifying the relevant feasibility features and acceptance thresholds for specific purposes. The group of experts who evaluated the virtual patient exemplar found higher integration more interesting, but at the same time they were more concerned with the validity of the result. The observed differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThis paper outlines a framework for the integration of computational models into virtual patients. The opportunities and challenges of model exploitation are discussed from a number of user perspectives, considering different levels of model integration. The long-term aim for future research is to isolate the most crucial factors in the framework and to determine their influence on the integration outcome.

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“…The solutions in specific are referring to the culturally embedded storytelling of Pacific nations and specific for them solving problems methodologies (Kosara & Mackinlay, 2013;Leavy, Wyeld, Hills, Barker, & Gard, 2007;Meyers, 2003;Vaioleti, 2016;). As already mentioned, earlier the communication medium is based on rich picture coming from Soft Sys-tem Methodology (SSM) (Checkland & Poulter, 2010;Wigal, 2009). In our case presentation, the problem becomes more vibrant, attractive, and more detailed over time, bringing us closer to a solution.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SSM is a multipurpose methodology being already used in a variety of ways (Checkland, 2000;Ledington & Donaldson, 1997;Munro & Mingers, 2002;Wigal, 2009;Winter, 2006). The version of SSM used for purposes of our research is most closely associated with the last work of Peter Checkland, as presented in Checkland and Poulter (2010), Checkland and Winter (2006), and Checkland and Scholes, (1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactive 3D Representation of Business Case Studies in the Classroom

Zaliwski¹,

Kelsey²

2018

Proceedings of the 2018 InSITE Conference

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Aim/PurposeIn our previous paper, we have proposed a methodology to deliver an applied business course to the multicultural audience having in mind embedding into the course cultural sensitivity and create a safe place for multicultural students to use own cultural metaphors in a learning place. We have proposed a fusion of ancient storytelling tradition creating an overall context for the teaching process and specific use of rich picture coming from Soft System Methodology (SSM). The used teaching approach is promising and brings the required results. However, the proposed method, to be fully effective requires a computerized supporting tool in a form of sophisticated graphical editor/presentation application displaying in real-time case study progress along with the in-class discussion. This tool is a central topic for this paper. BackgroundThe existing tools like for example MS PowerPoint, MS Visio, or Prezi used by us so far cannot be used for our purpose as the interactive image update distract the students. The MS PowerPoint and Prezi require visible mode switching between design mode (edit) and presentation mode. Whereas MS Visio editing is too slow for our purposes. This switching or editing time create a meaningful distraction during the discussion. MethodologyAs a solution for the above problem, the authors work on the development of own specialized tool using open source software Blender 3D (http://blender.org) along with Python. The code will be released to open source domain to enable further co-operation with other researchers. ContributionThe described effort, if successful, should create a new presentation tool allowing among the other features, seamless in-class knowledge transfer and in the future will enable the way for gamification of case studies.Interactive 3D Representation of Business Case Studies 66 Impact on Society A definite improvement of teaching quality in applied business (however, not limited to) with further possibility to extend to deliver courses e.g. for company's executives. The tool and methodology allow embedding cultural sensitivity into the learning process and will have an impact on digital inclusiveness. Future ResearchThe tool enables possibility for further analysis of the business situation by artificial intelligence interface. In fact, a whole interactive process of reaching the case conclusion may be observed (allowing collecting analytics and insights on teacher and student's behavior and performance).

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Soft Systems Methodology

Cited by 311 publications

References 14 publications

An initial categorization of foundational research in complex technical systems

An initial categorization of foundational research in complex technical systems

A Framework for Different Levels of Integration of Computational Models Into Web-Based Virtual Patients

Interactive 3D Representation of Business Case Studies in the Classroom

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