DPLS 703--Policy Analysis--3 credits
Summer 2001

Session 3: Soft Systems
Reading assignment:

An Introduction to Soft Systems Methodology by Julie Travis and John R Venable, Curtin Business School, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia [http://www.cbs.curtin.edu.au/units/is/venable/ssm/ssm_intro.html]07/05/01

An introduction to the need for a Soft System Methdology prepared by the Department of Management Systems, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, slide presentation
[http://www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/depts/mnss/courses/emba/ssm/sld001.htm]

A different explanation of Soft System Methodology by Jon Wallis, University of Wolverhamption
slide presentation
[http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/university/scit/modules/cp4414/lectures/week10/ssm1/index.htm]

Example of the use of soft systems

AN APPLICATION OF SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY WITHIN NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE FORCE  by R. Keith Ellis http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/lsm/schoolpages/Research/WorkingPapers/Working011.html

Optional Example

Using Soft Systems Methodology in the Analysis of Public Involvement in EIA Anna L. Johnson PhD Candidate, Department of Geography University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand [http://www.geography.otago.ac.nz/CIART/annaiaia99.html]

Optional reading assignment (explore some of the links below, beginning with the first two)

Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) Web Document by Vanita Shroff, Gurpreet Kahlon and Richard Huntrods, University of Calgary (another introduction but with useful section dealing with hard vs soft systems, disadvantages of SSM, comparision of SSM to other techniques).[http://www.enel.ucalgary.ca/~huntrods/seng613group/webdoc.html]07/05/01

REFLECTING ON SSM: THE LINK BETWEEN ROOT DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTUAL MODELS * Peter Checkland (text only) [http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/lsm/schoolpages/Research/WorkingPapers/Working005.html]07/05/01

Explore the Center for Futures Research, Systems Thinking page http://www.sgzz.ch/

Models for Change, Soft Systems Methodology, Part of Lecture 4, 23/7/96.
Jim Underwood. http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~jim/bpt/ssm.html

Overview of Soft Systems Methodology by the Telematics for Research project DESIRE (RE 1004)
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/metadata/desire/quality/appendix-2.html SLOW SITE!!

Very Brief introduction to Soft Systems Methodology
University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering, Institute for Manufacturing
[http://www-mmd.eng.cam.ac.uk/people/ahr/dstools/control/softsm.htm]

Günther Ossimitz System Dynamics / Systems Thinking Mega Link List
[http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/users/gossimit/links/bookmksd.htm]07/05/01

Soft systems methodology in organizational change and redesign. Stanislaw Stanek email: stanek@ae.katowice.pl The Karol Adamiecki Academy of Economics, Department of Informatics [http://figaro.ae.katowice.pl/~stanek/ostrav97/ostrava.html]07/05/01

A Soft Systems Approach to Information Systems Quality Richard Vidgen, Trevor Wood-Harper & Robert (JRG) Wood Department of Mathematics & Computer Science [http://iris.informatik.gu.se/sjis/vol5/vidgen.shtml]07/05/01

Rich Cases: a framework for interactive case studies in Information Systems teaching Elizabeth Guy, Lyn Pemberton & John Knight School of Information Management, University of Brighton [http://www1.nks.no/eurodl/shoen/icl2000/pemberton/guy_et_al.html]07/05/01

The Lincoln School of Management Working Paper Series, editor: Jim Nyland [http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/lsm/schoolpages/Research/WorkingPapers/WorkingPapersHomePage.htm]07/05/01

Optional Internet Exploring Assignment

Soft Systems Methodology Internet Resource Page by Andrew Finegan
http://www.bf.rmit.edu.au/~andrewf/ssm-res.html (when checked on 7/19/01 it was not responding)

Web page on Soft Systems Methodology and links to other resources by Isaac Lam (numerous bad links)
http://www.nutech.com.hk/issaclam/ssm.htm

Soft systems Methodology in the World Wide Web
[http://members.tripod.com/SSM_Delphi/ssm4.html]

Written outside-class assignment: (a) Identify the main steps in a soft systems methodology based on the contents of Andrew Finegan,  the Department of Management Systems, University of Waikato, and Travis and Venable, Curtin University ( you may also include materials from Jon Wallis, Jim Underwood or the other links).  This should NOT exceed the equivalent of one, double spaced typed page. Note differences between the different descriptions while remembering they are all based on Peter Checkland. (b) Prepare a paragraph, not more than a half page, on the advantages of having diversity in a group using soft systems methodology. Specifically consider the difference in the relationship of diversity to policy analysis between a traditional approach and a soft systems approach. (c) Prepare a paragraph, again not more than a half page, on whether and how soft systems methods might be relevant to the gender equity issue at Gonzaga University. (d) Subjective response of one or two sentences covering the entire reading assignment. Post by 5:00 pm on July 10 to the Discussion Board.

Application of a Soft Systems Approach to Policy

Written in-class assignment.  (a) Based on what you have been able to learn about Soft Systems Methodology and your own experience, how relevant do you think it is to a policy making/policy evaluating process.  Provide a rationale for your response.

Other assignment:  Small groups should be prepared to make class presentations on the results of their work.

Identification of at least one Web based resource relating to Gender Equity relevant to the topics raised by a soft systems approach. Print and bring copy to class.

Class activities: Discussion of the relevance or lack of relevance of Soft Systems Methodology.  Discussion of the case study lead by a volunteer. Evaluation of the Discussion Board experience for expanding this discussion.  Small group activity Soft Systems Analysis of the gender equity issue at Gonzaga University.  Presentations by small groups on their application of soft systems to the issue of gender equity for faculty at Gonzaga University.  Preparation of a Rich Picture. How would the small group change the Scope of Work to include Soft Systems Methodology.  What might be advantages and disadvantages of policy analysis based on Soft Systems Methodology?  Assume that the policy analysis has been completed, identify at least one policy change to address the issue of gender equity in Higher Education. Specific attention to the formulation of policy changes to bring about desired changes.

For more information contact docinfo@gonzaga.edu or write to Doctoral Program in Leadership Gonzaga University Spokane, WA USA 99258 (509) 323-3490

Copyright 1998,1999,2000 Page maintained by  beebe@gonzaga.edu revised 07/19/2001