Soft Systems Methodology
(Checkland)

Knowledge Center

What is the Soft Systems Methodology? Description

The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) from Peter Checkland is a qualitative technique that can be used for applying Systems Thinking to non-systemic situations. It is a way of dealing with problem situations in which there is a high social, political and human activity component. This distinguishes SSM from other methodologies which deal with HARD problems that are often more technology-oriented.

SSM applies Systems Thinking to the real world of human organizations. But crucially without assuming that the subject of enquiry is itself a simple system. SSM therefore is a useful way to approach complex situations and corresponding messy questions.
 

Origin of the Soft Systems Methodology. History

SSM originated from the understanding that "hard" Systems Thinking, such as Operations Research techniques, is inadequate for enquiring into large, complex organizational issues. Soft Systems Methodology was developed by Peter Checkland for the express purpose of dealing with problems of this type. He had been working in the industry for a number of years and had been working with a number of hard system methodologies. He saw how these were inadequate for the purpose of dealing with extremely complex problems which had a large social component. Therefore in the 1960s he goes to the University of Lancaster in an attempt to research this area, and to deal with these soft problems. He conceives his "Soft Systems Methodology" through a number of research projects in industry and its application and refinement over a number of years. The methodology, which is pretty much how we know it today, was published in 1981. By that time Checkland was firmly entrenched in University life and he had left the industry to pursue a career as a professor and researcher in Software Engineering.

Usage of the Soft Systems Methodology. Applications

• Any complex, organizational situation where there is a high social, political and human activity component.

Steps in the Soft Systems Methodology. Process

The following steps should be taken (often several iterations are needed):

1. Investigate the unstructured problem.
2. Express the problem situation through "Rich Pictures". Rich Pictures are a means of capturing as much information as possible relating to the problem situation. A rich picture can show boundaries, structure, information flows, and communication channels. But in particular it shows the human activity system. This is the element that is not included in models such as: data flow diagrams or class models.
3. Root definitions of relevant systems. From what different perspectives can we look at this problem situation?
   • Root definitions are written as sentences that elaborate a transformation. There are six elements that make a well formulated root definition. They are summed up in the acronym CATWOE:
     • Customer. Everyone who may gain benefits from a system is considered as a customer of the system. If the system involves sacrifices such as layoffs, then those victims must also be counted as customers.
     • Actor. The actors transform inputs into outputs and they perform the activities defined in the system.
     • Transformation process. This is shown as the conversion of inputs to outputs.
     • Weltanschauung. The German expression for world view. This world view makes the transformation process meaningful in context.
     • Owner. Every system has some proprietor, who has the power to start up and shut down the system (power of veto).
     • Environmental constraints. These are external elements that must be considered. These constraints include organizational policies as well as legal and ethical matters.
4. Conceptual models.
   • Formal system concept.
   • Other system thinking.
5. Comparison of 4 with 2.
6. Feasible, desirable changes.
7. Action to improve the problem situation.

Strengths of the Soft Systems Methodology. Benefits

• SSM gives structure to complex organizational and political problem situations, and it can allow them to be dealt with in an organized manner.  It forces the user to look for a solution that is more than technical.
• Rigorous tool to use in "messy" problems.
• Specific techniques.

Limitations of the Soft Systems Methodology. Pitfalls

• SSM requires from participants to adapt to the overall approach.
• Be careful not to narrow the scope of the investigation too early.
• It is difficult to assemble the richest picture, without imposing a particular structure and solution on problem situation.
• People have difficulties to interpret the world in the loose way. They often show an over-urgent desire for action.

Assumptions of the Soft Systems Methodology. Conditions

• Assumes that most management and organizational problems cannot be seen as pure "systems problems" as the system is far too complex to analyze.
• Nevertheless applying a systemic approach in a non-systemic situation is valuable.

Book: Peter Checkland - Systems Thinking, Systems Practice

Forum New Topic Forum about the Soft Systems Methodology. Tips for Drawing Rich Pictures Hi, I have to draw a rich picture for a virtual library, and I have no idea how to start it. I am totally new to SSM. If (...) 11   2 comments Soft Systems Methodology Template I need an SSM template for my assignment. Who can help me? Thanks (...) 10   🔥 NEW Information Sharing Model using SSM for Sharing Health Information? Who can help me on how to develop an information sharing model using SSM for sharing health information? Thanks.. (...) 8   3 comments Conceptual Modelling Explanation Hi I am a student of IMIS. I got a problem to understand the conceptual model. Can anyone please help me out to describ (...) 8   2 comments What book you should get for SSM is Checkland's book the only one for SSM? (...) 7   2 comments Conceptual modelling in SSM I am having problem understanding how to create models. Can anyone throw more light on this for me? (...) 7   Using Checkland's Methodology Can Checkland's system help to solve / choose from extreme options ie in difficult situation for decision-making. (...) 4   Systems management & hard and soft systems Hi all, I'm studying a module at university and after untold hours of research I am still not happy with the information (...) 4   1 comments Strategy and Rich Pictures Can any one help me with an example of a rich picture used to explain strategic thinking Thanks Jean (...) 4   1 comments Using SSM in Computer Based Applications Proved to be very effective in using RD in the development of use case diagrams of OOA, also the rich picture played ver (...) 3   Soft System Methodology for Energy Policy How can one use soft system to do an analysis of the regulation of a country's energy policy taking issues of nuclear, c (...) 3   1 comments Users of Soft Systems Methodology by Checkland Who could use SSM and for what purpose? (...) 1   Start a new forum topic about the Soft Systems Methodology. More info. Share your opinion, knowledge and experience or ask a question (sign up for free first)

Best Practices Sign up The top-rated topics about the Soft Systems Methodology. Here you will find the most valuable ideas and practical suggestions. What is Soft Systems Methodology? Definitions Hi everyone, studying a module at university that involves SSM, HSM and forecasting etc. Just asking if anyone has (...) 24   4 comments What is a Rich Picture? What precisely is the role of rich pictures in SSM? (...) 11   3 comments

Expert Tips Sign up Advanced insights about the Soft Systems Methodology. Here you will find professional advices by experts. How to Create an Adaptive Organization that can Deal with a Complex Environment? Organizational Development, Strategy Definition and qualifications of complex adaptive systems capable of successfully coping with chaos: 1. A system must b (...) Structure your Organization at the Edge of Chaos Organizational Development Although chaos theory was discovered decades ago, it only has emerged in recent years as a model for explaining the chao (...) Principles of Complex Environments Organizational Development, Strategy Characteristics of an environment conducive for complex adaptive systems: 1. Complex adaptive systems are at risk when (...)

Information Sources Sign up Various sources of information regarding the Soft Systems Methodology. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. Systems, Systems Thinking and Soft System Methodology (SSM) Systems Thinking, Soft System Methodology, SSM, Checkland Presentation that provides well structured information about what are Systems, System Thinking and Soft Systems Methodol (...) Applying Creative Thinking to Complex Business Problem Solving Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, Complex Problem Solving Techniques This presentation focuses on creative thinking as a useful tool for dealing with complex business issues. It includes th (...) Soft Systems Methodology SSM and Operations Research Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been used in the practice of Operations Research/ Management Science (OR/MS) since th (...)

Research Links Sign up Automatically jump to further useful sources regarding the Soft Systems Methodology. News Videos Presentations Books More

Compare with Soft Systems Methodology: Systems Thinking  |  Gestalt Theory  |  Dialectical Inquiry  |  Action Research

Return to Management Hub: Change & Organization  |  Communication & Skills  |  Knowledge & Intangibles  |  Strategy

More Management Methods, Models and Theory