This is a well planned approach to tackling problematic situations. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) sometimes referred to as ‘soft’ is different from ‘hard’ approaches because the soft approach focuses on the system notion. Therefore, SSM perception of a system is as an epistemological entity and not an ontological one.
The SSM approach was adopted in 1966 by a team of academicians when they encountered a number of management problems which could not be effectively addressed using the available system engineering approaches then.
The SSM has become a vital research approach which is basically an amalgamation of different inputs whose basis is on assumptions, strengths, pitfalls, conceptual models, rich pictures, system thinking, structured and unstructured problems and CATWOE – Client, Actor, Transformation, Weltanschauung, Owner and Environment.
This approach typically progresses through seven main stages from the recognition of the problem through to the evaluation. SSM is basically a learning process enabling greater understanding of the problem. This approach establishes a comparison between the world as it is and other models as they might be like. Based on this approach there emerges a better understanding of the world and improved ideas.
This methodology begins from a real world scenario or problem. Stage one and two of SSM are generally situation definition stages. Checkland considered as one of the founders of SSM refers to these stages as the problem situation. The stage two is meant to introduce an aspect of richness which can include expressions by people, climate, conflicts and structure of processes. Stage three of SSM focuses on the systems.
Here the inherent perceptions begin to emerge and require some root definition. At this point each of these perceptions can be submitted to a structured model which typically would be the CATWOE. Modeling at this stage commences from a typical point labeled as the transformation. The root definition stage then gives way to various concepts which are now included into the model.
Steps five to seven of the SSM approach are real world oriented where the model defined in stage four is compared to the real world. At this point improvement ideas can also be determined when a comparison of the model with the real world is carried out. The model should affect the real world and therefore there is need to establish feasible and desirable interventions.
The final step for the SSM addresses questions like to what extend has the actual situation mapped onto the derived models. In summary it can be noted that the SSM approach consists of two main modes the real world processes and systems thinking about the real world.
Action research
Action research is an iterative approach to research that involves a number of stages all in a cyclic arrangement. Some typical components of this process include action planning, implementing and evaluation, diagnosis, data gathering and feedback. Action research was first used in the 1930s and is currently a common approach among practitioners.
This approach consists of two designs which are practical and participatory action research. The former is suitable for studying problems that are localized within the researcher’s setting and is more suitably carried out using team based inquiry (Creswell, 2006; Patton, 2001).
The latter focuses on social issues and relies on collaboration. Participatory action research has a community orientation while practical action research is problem oriented.
Comparing action research and soft systems methodology
Action research and Soft Systems Methodology are vital tools for planning, decision making and problem solving. Both of them provide a disciplined approach to research.
However, a critical evaluation of action research and soft systems methodology brings out the main contrast that while action research is largely a participatory approach to research, soft systems methodology is practical. SSM is a learning process involving the subject of study or research.
However, the gaining of the knowledge in SSM is based on a study about the subject while for action research the study is by the subject. SSM would be more appropriate as an approach for general research activities while action research is more suited for specific research exercise.
A review of an MIS Quarterly (2004)
Accordingly, Street and Meister (2004) indicate that the internal processes that promote small business growth have remained un-researched for some time now. In this journal an action research approach has been used to try and highlight the role of information systems in business growth.
This is based on the understanding that little has been known about the growth dynamics as a small enterprise gradually transforms into a large enterprise. In this journal the authors correlate information management systems evolution to business growth.
This is practically proved through a participatory action project that involves a small business management team developing an IS based solution to address their business growth needs.
The participatory action research approach is effectively put to use in this article to draw the conclusion that internal transparency achieved through action research is a vital concept that points out MIS potential and contribution towards business growth.
Action research as an approach to research is gaining popularity because its broad scope is able to ensure that the research field is adequately covered. A look at the action research mind map reveals a broad coverage covering principles, planning and design (Creswell, 2006; Patton, 2001). The cyclic nature of this approach ensures the exhaustion of any concepts within the study field.
Table 1: Comparing the outlines for a dissertation and journal / article.
The outline of the dissertation is elaborate as compared to that of the article or journal. Most of what is covered within the journal’s main body involves various topics and processes. The journal proceeds as a narrative. However, the dissertation is conspicuously sectionalized with the outline showing only the main headings with sub headings also included.
The structure followed by the dissertation corresponds more closely to the action research (AR) template than the structure of the journal. This is because the dissertation is focusing more detail on a certain area of study and most likely involves the writer or author. The journal is more general and reported in third person. The dissertation is written mostly in first person indicating that the writer may be the researcher.
There are various research approaches and each is suited towards a particular research approach. It is therefore important to determine the type of research one intends to carry out. Based on this determination the researcher or writer can then proceed and choose the design and approaches from among the various designs that have been covered within this course.
References
Creswell, J. (2006). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Street, C., & Meister, D. (2004). Small business growth and internal transparency: The role of information systems. MIS Quarterly 28(3), 473-506.
Patton, M. (2001). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (3rd ed.).Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.