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Process and content: two ways of using SSM

Author

Listed:
  • P Checkland

    (Lancaster University Lancaster)

  • M Winter

    (University of Manchester)

Abstract

Soft systems methodology (SSM) includes several ways of gaining a rich appreciation of the problem situation addressed. ‘Analysis One’, exploration of the intervention itself, is the subject here, since it is sparsely covered in the literature. The analysis is conducted in terms of three roles: ‘client’, ‘problem solver’ and ‘problem owner’. Whoever is in the role of ‘problem solver’ is free to define a list of possible ‘problem owners’, which brings many perspectives to bear on the situation. It was realized that ‘client’ and ‘problem solver’ should themselves feature in the ‘problem owner’ list. The ‘problem’ owned by the ‘problem solver’ is that of undertaking the intervention. This led to a realization that SSM is relevant to both the content of a perceived situation (SSMc) and the process of dealing with that content (SSMp). This development is described and illustrated by work in the National Health Service. The focus of the SSM use was to define the intellectual process for a service specification project which NHS professionals would themselves carry out.

Suggested Citation

  • P Checkland & M Winter, 2006. "Process and content: two ways of using SSM," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(12), pages 1435-1441, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:57:y:2006:i:12:d:10.1057_palgrave.jors.2602118
    DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602118
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    Cited by:

    1. Sydelko, Pamela & Midgley, Gerald & Espinosa, Angela, 2021. "Designing interagency responses to wicked problems: Creating a common, cross-agency understanding," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(1), pages 250-263.
    2. Luis Arturo Pinzón‐Salcedo & Juanita Bernal‐Alvarado & Eloisa María Ramírez‐Franco & Mario Alejandro Pesca‐Perdomo, 2023. "Do jaguars of the Amazon rainforest have a systemic perspective?," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 3-15, January.
    3. Mirna de Lima Medeiros & Leonardo Augusto Amaral Terra & João Luiz Passador, 2020. "Geographical indications and territorial development: A soft‐system methodology analysis of the Serro Case," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(1), pages 82-96, January.
    4. Mingers, John, 2011. "Soft OR comes of age--but not everywhere!," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 729-741, December.
    5. Kazakov, Rossen & Howick, Susan & Morton, Alec, 2021. "Managing complex adaptive systems: A resource/agent qualitative modelling perspective," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 290(1), pages 386-400.
    6. Georgiou, Ion, 2012. "Messing about in transformations: Structured systemic planning for systemic solutions to systemic problems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 223(2), pages 392-406.
    7. M. Yusuf S. Barusman & Appin Purisky Redaputri, 2018. "Decision Making Model of Electric Power Fulfillment in Lampung Province Using Soft System Methodology," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(1), pages 128-136.
    8. Majid Eskafi & Reza Fazeli & Ali Dastgheib & Poonam Taneja & Gudmundur F. Ulfarsson & Ragnheidur I. Thorarinsdottir & Gunnar Stefansson, 2020. "A value-based definition of success in adaptive port planning: a case study of the Port of Isafjordur in Iceland," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 22(3), pages 403-431, September.
    9. Xuhui Cong & Li Ma, 2018. "Performance Evaluation of Public-Private Partnership Projects from the Perspective of Efficiency, Economic, Effectiveness, and Equity: A Study of Residential Renovation Projects in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, June.
    10. Ramin Sepehrirad & Ali Rajabzadeh & Adel Azar & Behrouz Zarei, 2017. "A Soft Systems Methodology Approach to Occupational Cancer Control Problem: a Case Study of the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 30(6), pages 609-626, December.
    11. Yuko Goto & Hisayuki Miura, 2022. "Using the Soft Systems Methodology to Link Healthcare and Long-Term Care Delivery Systems: A Case Study of Community Policy Coordinator Activities in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-9, July.
    12. J Davis & A MacDonald & L White, 2010. "Problem-structuring methods and project management: an example of stakeholder involvement using Hierarchical Process Modelling methodology," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(6), pages 893-904, June.
    13. Foote, J. & Midgley, G. & Ahuriri-Driscoll, A. & Hepi, M. & Earl-Goulet, J., 2021. "Systemic evaluation of community environmental management programmes," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 207-224.
    14. Mingers, John & White, Leroy, 2010. "A review of the recent contribution of systems thinking to operational research and management science," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 207(3), pages 1147-1161, December.
    15. Laouris, Yiannis & Romm, Norma RA, 2022. "Structured dialogical design as a problem structuring method illustrated in a Re-invent democracy project," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 301(3), pages 1072-1087.

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