Practical soft systems analysis

By: Patching, DavidMaterial type: TextTextPublication details: London : Pitman, 1990Description: 288 pages : ilusISBN: 9780273032373; 0273032372 Subject(s): Electronic data processing | System analysisDDC classification: 003
Contents:
Part 1 Introduction: the style of the book; general terminology; the structure of the book. Part 2 Systems concepts: system types; basic systems ideas; system characteristics; exploring human activity systems. Part 3 The use of soft systems analysis: systems analysis - the hard/soft division; the advantages of soft systems analysis. Part 4 Introduction to the SSM: the soft systems methodology - an overview; outputs and rules; summary of the SSM. Part 5 Expressing an unstructured situation: exploring and expressing the situation; drawing rich pictures. Part 6 Modelling human activity systems: root definitions; the pub as a system. Part 7 Exploring the real situation: the what/how distinction; making the comparison; summary. Part 8 Agreeing and implementing changes: feasible/desirable changes; action to improve; the analyst/client relationship. Part 9 Practical applications: general applications; management services applications; computer investigations. Part 10 SSM for organisational analysis: the client organisation; application of the SSM - phase 1; application of the SSM - phase II. Part 11 A method for information systems enquiry: the research project; stage 1 - exploring the situation; using the database; data validation; using the information. Part 12 Investigating new requirements: overview of approach; the system models; use of the models; summary. Part 13 Procedure audit: the rationale of procedure audit; the practice of procedure audit; procedure audit - an example application. Part 14 Bridging the pragmademic gap: summary of FAOR activities; the follow-up review; development of a user requirement; conclusions for the systems approach. Part 15 Application guidelines: applying the SSM; informal applications; final comments
Summary: This work demonstrates how to interpret and apply soft systems concepts in practical situations. It explains the methodology and explores its use in practice, discussing the difficulties that can arise in the process and providing examples of real-life applications
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Includes index

Part 1 Introduction: the style of the book; general terminology; the structure of the book. Part 2 Systems concepts: system types; basic systems ideas; system characteristics; exploring human activity systems. Part 3 The use of soft systems analysis: systems analysis - the hard/soft division; the advantages of soft systems analysis. Part 4 Introduction to the SSM: the soft systems methodology - an overview; outputs and rules; summary of the SSM. Part 5 Expressing an unstructured situation: exploring and expressing the situation; drawing rich pictures. Part 6 Modelling human activity systems: root definitions; the pub as a system. Part 7 Exploring the real situation: the what/how distinction; making the comparison; summary. Part 8 Agreeing and implementing changes: feasible/desirable changes; action to improve; the analyst/client relationship. Part 9 Practical applications: general applications; management services applications; computer investigations. Part 10 SSM for organisational analysis: the client organisation; application of the SSM - phase 1; application of the SSM - phase II. Part 11 A method for information systems enquiry: the research project; stage 1 - exploring the situation; using the database; data validation; using the information. Part 12 Investigating new requirements: overview of approach; the system models; use of the models; summary. Part 13 Procedure audit: the rationale of procedure audit; the practice of procedure audit; procedure audit - an example application. Part 14 Bridging the pragmademic gap: summary of FAOR activities; the follow-up review; development of a user requirement; conclusions for the systems approach. Part 15 Application guidelines: applying the SSM; informal applications; final comments

This work demonstrates how to interpret and apply soft systems concepts in practical situations. It explains the methodology and explores its use in practice, discussing the difficulties that can arise in the process and providing examples of real-life applications

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