SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES Introduction We will consider a taxonomy of systems methodologies and look a an example of one in comparison to Soft Systems Methodology. This will be Systems Dynamics We will consider a taxonomy of systems methodologies and look a an example of one in comparison to Soft Systems Methodology. This will be Systems Dynamics MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES TYPES Simple Simple Complex ComplexCONTEXT Unitary Unitary Pluralist Pluralist Coercive Coercive MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE A small number of elements A small number of elements Few interactions between the elements Few interactions between the elements Attributes of the elements are predetermined Attributes of the elements are predetermined Interaction between elements is highly organised Interaction between elements is highly organised Well-defined laws govern behaviour Well-defined laws govern behaviour The “system” does not evolve over time The “system” does not evolve over time “sub-systems” do not pursue own goals “sub-systems” do not pursue own goals The “system” is unaffected by behavioural influences The “system” is unaffected by behavioural influences The “system” is largely closed to the environment The “system” is largely closed to the environment MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX A large number of elements A large number of elements Many interactions between the elements Many interactions between the elements Attributes of the elements are not predetermined Attributes of the elements are not predetermined Interaction between elements is loosely organised Interaction between elements is loosely organised They are probabilistic in their behaviour They are probabilistic in their behaviour The “system” evolves over time The “system” evolves over time “sub-systems” are purposeful and generate their own goals “sub-systems” are purposeful and generate their own goals The “system” is subject to behavioural influences The “system” is subject to behavioural influences The “system” is largely open to the environment The “system” is largely open to the environment MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES UNITARY They share common interests They share common interests Their values and beliefs are highly compatible Their values and beliefs are highly compatible They largely agree on ends and means They largely agree on ends and means They all participate in decision-making They all participate in decision-making They act in accordance with agreed objectives They act in accordance with agreed objectives MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES PLURALIST They have a basic compatibility of interest They have a basic compatibility of interest Their values and beliefs diverge to some extent Their values and beliefs diverge to some extent They do not necessarily agree upon ends and means but compromise if possible They do not necessarily agree upon ends and means but compromise if possible They all participate in decision making They all participate in decision making They act in accordance with agreed objectives They act in accordance with agreed objectives MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COERCIVE They do not share common interests They do not share common interests Their values and beliefs are likely to conflict Their values and beliefs are likely to conflict They do not agree upon ends and means and “genuine” compromise is not possible They do not agree upon ends and means and “genuine” compromise is not possible Some coerce others to accept decisions Some coerce others to accept decisions No agreement over objectives is possible given present systematic arrangements No agreement over objectives is possible given present systematic arrangements MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES MSc Business Information Technology UNITARYPLURALISTCOERCIVESIMPLE Simple- Unitary Simple- Pluralist Simple- Coercive COMPLEX Complex- Unitary Complex- Pluralist Complex- Coercive The “ideal type” grouping of systems methodologies

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-UNITARY Operational Research Operational Research Systems Analysis Systems Analysis Systems Dynamics Systems Dynamics MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-UNITARY Assumes problem solver can easily establish objectives in terms of a system(s) in which it assumes that a problem resides Assumes problem solver can easily establish objectives in terms of a system(s) in which it assumes that a problem resides The system of concern can be represented in a quantitative or highly structured model which will simulate different scenarios under different operational conditions The system of concern can be represented in a quantitative or highly structured model which will simulate different scenarios under different operational conditions The notion of “hard” system is applicable here The notion of “hard” system is applicable here MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-UNITARY Viable Systems diagnosis Viable Systems diagnosis General Systems Theory General Systems Theory MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-UNITARY They have many elements in close relationship They have many elements in close relationship They are in general agreement about goals They are in general agreement about goals Important metaphors are “cybernetic”, “organism” or “brain” Important metaphors are “cybernetic”, “organism” or “brain” Implicit here is the idea of a team Implicit here is the idea of a team MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-PLURALIST Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-PLURALIST Issues are difficult to handle primarily because of disagreement amongst participants Issues are difficult to handle primarily because of disagreement amongst participants Once conflict dissolved issues are easily resolved Once conflict dissolved issues are easily resolved There is often a “machine” vision of the organisation There is often a “machine” vision of the organisation Little attention is paid to structural or organisational principles Little attention is paid to structural or organisational principles Important metaphor is the organisation as a “culture” also the view of “coalition” Important metaphor is the organisation as a “culture” also the view of “coalition” MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-PLURALIST Interactive Planning Interactive Planning Soft Systems Methodology Soft Systems Methodology MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-PLURALIST Typified by situations where there is a lack of agreement about goals and objectives Typified by situations where there is a lack of agreement about goals and objectives Compromise is achievable Compromise is achievable Advice available for dealing with problems stemming from complexity Advice available for dealing with problems stemming from complexity Important metaphor is once again the notion of a “culture”, “organism” and “brain” Important metaphor is once again the notion of a “culture”, “organism” and “brain” Guidelines are offered for the design of “new” systems emergence Guidelines are offered for the design of “new” systems emergence MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-COERCIVE Critical Systems Heuristics Critical Systems Heuristics MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SIMPLE-COERCIVE Can reveal “politics” of the problem Can reveal “politics” of the problem Sources of power relatively simple to identify Sources of power relatively simple to identify The “prison” metaphor is important for this approach The “prison” metaphor is important for this approach Typical questions are “who is the client of the system?”, “what does the decision taker control”, “who is the decision taker” Typical questions are “who is the client of the system?”, “what does the decision taker control”, “who is the decision taker” It is possible to develop a genuine debate between those involved in the system design and those who must live with it. It is possible to develop a genuine debate between those involved in the system design and those who must live with it. MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-COERCIVE No current methodology No current methodology MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES COMPLEX-COERCIVE Complexity characterising the situations of concern hides the true sources of power Complexity characterising the situations of concern hides the true sources of power The “prison” metaphor is once again important here The “prison” metaphor is once again important here Complex hierarchies Complex hierarchies Extreme levels of conflict Extreme levels of conflict No potential for compromise No potential for compromise MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES MSc Business Information Technology UNITARYPLURALISTCOERCIVESIMPLEORSASDSASTCSH COMPLEXVSDGSTIPSSMNone The grouping of systems methodologies

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES TOTAL SYSTEMS INTERVENTION “ This combines creative thinking about the nature of problem situations, using the systems metaphors, with informed choice of systems methodology, based upon knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies.” MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SYSTEMS DYNAMICS Originally known as Industrial Dynamics and attributed to Jay Forrester at MIT Originally known as Industrial Dynamics and attributed to Jay Forrester at MIT It operates on the principal of a theory of information feedback and control as a means of evaluating business and other organisational and social contexts It operates on the principal of a theory of information feedback and control as a means of evaluating business and other organisational and social contexts It uses an analytical modelling methodology It uses an analytical modelling methodology Emphasis placed on structure and processes within the structure Emphasis placed on structure and processes within the structure MSc Business Information Technology

OTHER SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES SYSTEMS DYNAMICS Problems It diverges form normal scientific method which normally proceeds by reduction to observe and measure scientific phenomena It diverges form normal scientific method which normally proceeds by reduction to observe and measure scientific phenomena SS thinkers question the underlying assumption of SD that there is an external world made up of systems SS thinkers question the underlying assumption of SD that there is an external world made up of systems As social reality is so complex there is a belief that SD models are distorted As social reality is so complex there is a belief that SD models are distorted Often based upon poor data not rigorously validated Often based upon poor data not rigorously validatedStrengths SD has not stood still and now handles much more qualitative situations SD has not stood still and now handles much more qualitative situations Software such as “STELLA” can be used for SD applications Software such as “STELLA” can be used for SD applications MSc Business Information Technology

SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES CONCLUSION Use TSI to utilise strengths of each approach. Check the notes for a resume of the other approaches and compare Use TSI to utilise strengths of each approach. Check the notes for a resume of the other approaches and compare Ultimately the methodologies are there to help the analyst Ultimately the methodologies are there to help the analyst MSc Business Information Technology