Qualifying Function in SSM Modeling—A Case Study

In a previous paper the author introduced a concept called qualifying function as a conceptual tool for modeling and design. The concept was incorporated into the modeling phase of soft systems methodology (SSM), with the purpose of addressing some of the criticism directed toward the methodology, such as its tendency to result in regulatory, rather than radical, agendas for change. It was argued that the concept had the potential to help people in a particular problem situation to view the situation from new and different perspectives and that it could enrich the conceptual models by giving the transformation process a direction. The aim of this paper is to apply the concept, embedded in SSM, to a case study involving two projects, focused on creating new work opportunities, to explore the practical applicability and usefulness of the concept, both in general and as a part of the modeling phase of SSM.     

系统方法论研究的现状分析与展望

对目前系统方法论的研究进行分类：硬系统方法论、软系统方法论和批评性系统方法论，分析了不同系统方法的哲学思想、方法步骤及其局限性，探讨了未来系统方法论发展的形式。     

The Use of Soft Systems Methodology to Enhance Group Creativity

Soft Systems Methodology is especially useful in diagnosing and addressing organizational problems and designing new systems in cultures that are characterised by pluralistic views and values. This paper demonstrates how SSM workshops in a large government agency resulted in a high level of creativity. SSM is then proposed as a methodology that could enhance group creativity in organizational design contexts.     

管理信息大系统分析与设计的一个新方法

本文将ＣｈｅｃｋｌａｎｄＰ．Ｂ．的软系统方法论与ＨａｌＡ．Ｄ．的硬系统方法论有机结合起来，提出一种管理信息大系统的“软系统分析／硬系统设计”方法，同时通过一个地方政府宏观经济管理信息系统的实践说明方法的应用．     

An Holistic Approach to the Management of Information Systems Development—A View Using a Soft Systems Approach and Multiple Viewpoints

This paper argues that only a systems-based approach to information systems development is likely to cover all the recognized problem issues reported in the literature. It is then shown that software development can be characterized by the structure of the Soft Systems Methodology, so that this methodology acts as a metaphor for the process of information systems development. The structure of this methodology can be seen at lower levels of the development process, and so the model generated here is seen as recursive. Further, information systems development is seen as an unstructured business problem that can be characterized by the Multiple Viewpoint approach. The connections between this approach and the methodology are identified. Finally, the unifying link between these approaches and all forms of action research is identified.     

软系统方法论与软科学哲学

软系统方法论是一个非常重要的学科,它与科学哲学相互影响、相互作用和相互促进。本文着重分析软系统方法论的哲学基础,以及从硬系统方法论到软系统方法论的哲学基础的变迁,认为硬 / 软系统方法论之间的关系及其在科学哲学中的表现是互斥互补的关系。软科学哲学一词是库恩在《结构后的路》(2000)一书中提出来的。在我国研究和发展软系统方法论和软科学哲学是十分必要的。     

信息系统集成的现状与未来

在分析系统集成现状的基础上 ,讨论了系统集成的定义、必要性、异构性对系统集成的影响以及系统集成方法论等问题 ,提出了系统集成的发展方向 ,并展望了信息系统集成的未来.     

论符合中国国情的工业工程方法论

本文首先从理论与实践的结合上分析谁了系统工程的思想与方法在工业工程中的方法论地位。在明确综合诊治这一工业工程现实功能的基础上，结合我国企业物流系统分析的实际，探讨了工业工程方法论的内容及其应用。最后，进一步明确了通过中外比较，建立具有中国特色的工业工程系统推进模式的任务。     

A critique of hierarchy theory

In our zeal to apply models successfully, failures of the model are often overlooked. A model may be used for quite some time before its success is questioned or before the model fails to be applied successfully. Since hierarchy theory has been deemed successful in the systems field, it is necessary and appropriate to critique the development and application of hierarchy theory using the framework presented inCreative Problem Solving (Flood and Jackson, 1992). That framework proposes a critique that uses the four areas of theory, utility, ideology, and methodology in reviewing a systems theory. It is important to examine hierarchy theory through the analytical filter of critical systems thinking if we are genuinely to understand what hierarchy theory has to offer systems thinking in the exploration of complex situations.     

一种适应于局部网络的结构化设计方法学

本文提出了一种结构化局部网络设计方法学(SDMLN),它能将一个复杂模糊的局部网络设计工程自顶向下地逐次分解成若干个简单、具体的作业,能精确定义各种需求规范,综合考虑影响局网设计的大量复杂的因素,提供完整清晰的设计文档和最优局网设计方案,该设计方法学已通过结构分析和设计方法得以实现。研究表明,SDMLN是适应于大型复杂局部网络的一种有效的设计方法学。     

A Structured Methodology for Local Network Design Engineering

This paper presents a structured methodology for local network design engineering (SMLNDE). A complex and fuzzy project for local network design can be decomposed into a set of simple and particular activities using the SMLNDE. The SMLNDE allows rigorous requirements definition and permits the exhaustive consideration of the large number of factors influencing local network design engineering. The complete and clear design documentations and an optimal design can also be provided by the methodology. The SMLNDE has been implemented using the structured analysis and design technique. The study shows that the SMLNDE is an effective design methodology for the large and complex local networks.     

Soft Systems Methodology: Other Voices

This issue of Systemic Practice and Action Research, celebrating the work of Peter Checkland, in the particular nature and development of soft systems methodology (SSM), would not have happened unless the work was seen by others as being important. No significant contribution to thinking happens without a secondary literature developing. Not surprisingly, many commentaries have accompanied the ongoing development of SSM. Some of these are insightful, some full of errors, and some include both insight and absurdity. Checkland (1999, p. A42) opines, in the recently published 30-year retrospective, that "SSM has been ill-served by its commentators." Scrutiny of the secondary literature on SSM provides support for this view and also identifies some general characteristics and trends that are important to the development of SSM and, incidentally, reinforces some existing conclusions.     

System dynamics as a systems-based problem-solving methodology

Systems dynamics is concerned with using systems ideas to increase understanding of various types of phenomena and to aid in the decision-making which determines action upon the processes involved. Developments within system dynamics have occurred mainly independently of advances in the broader systems movement. In this paper an attempt is made to bring to bear on system dynamics some recent work which considers the character of systems-based problem-solving methodologies. System dynamics is placed within a framework which enables the relative strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to be identified. This leads to a deeper understanding of some of the critiques of system dynamics and enables some issues to be outlined which may help to strengthen the theoretical base of system dynamics methodology and hence improve its ability to tackle practical situations.     

关于武器装备体系论证方法的思考

针对武器装备体系建设的特点,简述了目前武器装备体系论证特点和存在的方法问题.通过分析武器装备体系论证手段,剖析武器装备体系论证方法,提出应合理建立武器装备体系论证方法体系,形成武器装备体系论证方法论,以适应在信息化条件下武器装备体系建设的论证要求.依据上述方法论结合武器装备体系论证的特点,建立了软件综合集成环境,环境中每个软件工具或软件分系统,可根据不同论证任务,灵活形成针对该论证任务的软件环境,以满足相应论证任务的需要,体现定性分析与定量评估相结合.     

Total systems intervention: A practical face to critical systems thinking

This is the first exposition of a new methodology (or perhaps meta-methodology) for systems practice known as Total Systems Intervention (TSI). Designed to overcome the weaknesses of hard, cybernetic, and soft systems approaches and build on their strengths, TSI represents a practical face of critical systems thinking. It advocates combining three building blocks-systems metaphors, system of systems methodologies, and individual systems methodologies—in an interactive manner which is deemed to be particularly powerful and fruitful. In this paper the philosophy, principles, and phases of the TSI methodology are set out and two very different examples of its use are provided.     

An Idea Ahead of Its Time: The History and Development of Soft Systems Methodology

This paper, part of the Festschrift for Peter Checkland, provides an outline of the history and development of soft systems methodology. It includes a personal reflection on my experiences of SSM, as well as a more objective evaluation of its achievements and limitations.     

Evaluating organizations: A systems and contingency approach

It has become increasingly difficult to keep pace with the amount of information being generated about how to evaluate organizations. If it were not enough that the situation is made difficult by the sheer mass of material on evaluation, clarity is further hindered by many of the publications on the subject failing to make explicit the principles and assumptions upon which they are based. This was the situation confronting the authors when they began a national project with the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service on the evaluation of the performance of Councils for Voluntary Service. In an attempt to bring some order to the field, this paper adopts a systems and contingency approach to elucidate the nature and practical usefulness of the different methods of evaluation. It first seeks, using some tools of Checkland's soft systems methodology, to present a systematic analysis of the subject of evaluation. Then, in the light of the analysis, an attempt is made to formulate a simple classification of approaches to evaluation which serves to match the different forms of evaluation to the contexts in which they are most appropriate for use.     

双响应曲面方法在改进产品设计中的应用研究

以天津市某橡胶公司轮胎产品设计为对象 ,采用双响应曲面方法对轮胎生产过程中的一个重要质量特征 (胶料硬度 )进行了优化 ,并根据双响应曲面方法设计了试验设计软件 ,试验设计结果找到了达到胶料硬度目标并减少硬度变异的配比条件 .     

CIMS工程开发方法体系结构及开发方法集研究

为提高ＣＩＭＳ开发方法的系统化、完备化、集成化，本文针对ＣＩＭＳ工程开发的特点，提出了一种基于ＣＩＭ－ＯＳＡ的ＣＩＭＳ工程开发方法体系结构，对该体系结构下的开发方法集进行了研究，指出了该体系结构的特点，给出了该体系结构下开发步骤，以及在这种体系结构指导下开发ＣＩＭＳ工程应注意的几个关键问题。     

Knowing Wuli,Sensing Shili,Caring for Renli: Methodology of the WSR Approach

This paper presents an outline of an Oriental systems methodology: the Wuli Shili Renli approach (WSR). The basic theme of WSR contends that wuli (regularities in objective existence), shili (ways of seeing and doing), and renli (patterns underlying human relations) constitute a differentiated whole that conditions systems projects. WSR suggests that we should design and employ appropriate methods to address and tackle wuli shili and renli elements in a theoretically informed and systemic way. The background, philosophy, process, principles, and some practical applications of the methodology are preliminarily outlined.