Session 7 WorkShop - Part A , Theoritical Analysis of SSM

Definition of CATWOE and Soft System Methodology

Soft Systems Methodology is an approach to inquiry into problem situations perceived to exist in the real world (Checkland and Scholes, 1990:18). It originates from the more general field of Systems Engineering, but have departed from the tradition of "hard" systems thinking (in which the perceived reality is considered systemic and inquiry systematic) into what is referred to as "soft" systems thinking (where perceived reality is problematic and inquiry is systemic). In their discussion of SSM and information systems development, Hirschheim et al. (1995:242) point out that SSM

"is a framework which does not force or lead the systems analyst to a particular 'solution', rather to an understanding."

SSM has evolved through several versions, with (Checkland, 1981) as the most widely cited. The presentation in this section is taken from a revised version of SSM found in (Checkland and Scholes, 1990).

The process of SSM is illustrated in figure 5.6. A real world problem situation is perceived to exist. This situation has a particular history, providing a richer basis for understanding the situation. Actors (would-be improvers of the problem situation in) using SSM will follow two distinct, but integrated streams of analysis: A logic-based and a cultural.

CATWOE’ is a mnemonic for a checklist for problem or goal definition (Checkland and Scholes, Soft Systems Methodology in Action, 1990). CATWOE is applied to the system which contains the problem, issue or solution, rather than to the problem or goal itself – i.e. to: ‘A system to ...’ ‘A system for ...’; or ‘A system that ...’. Such a definition should include:

C The ‘customers of the system’. In this context, ‘customers’ means those who are on the receiving end of whatever it is that the system does. Is it clear from your definition who will gain or lose?

A The ‘actors’, meaning those who would actually carry out the activities envisaged in the notional system being defined.

T The ‘transformation process’. What does the system do to the inputs to convert them into the outputs.

W The ‘world view’ that lies behind the root definition. Putting the system into its wider context can highlight the consequences of the overall system. For example, the system may be in place to assist in making the world environmentally safer, and the consequences of system failure could be significant pollution.

O The ‘owner(s)’ – i.e. those who have sufficient formal power over the system to stop it existing if they so wished (though they won’t usually want to do this).

E The ‘environmental constraints’. These include things such as ethical limits, regulations, financial constraints, resource limitations, limits set by terms of reference, and so on.

Just working through CATWOE, adding each element as you go, can lead to an unwieldy definition. It may be better to look at which are the important elements of CATWOE for any given system and use the relevant sub-set.

Session 6 Workshop

Background

The purpose of this workshop was to get us started in designing communication systems with the help of ideas like 'co-ordination', 'common ground', 'affordance' and 'activity'. Our group produced a narrative about how to organise a video conference between two companies. We were encouraged to use ideas about co-ordination (session 5 lecture). Now we will discuss some concepts for the co-ordination design.

Part A

• How would you better manage emotions (if you can)?

One way to better manage emotions is to exercise patience and not to get too emotionally attached to the given discussion. Moreover, one should not take or make any harsh comments that will make the other side hostile. It is possible to also have a few negotiators who will calm people down if the discussion gets too heated. Another way to better manage emotions is by psychological assessment (shrink) and by gradual adjustment.

• How would you better manage language?

One way to manage language better in this situation is to agree upon a common language that is understood by both parties. If it is not possible to agree on a common language to be used, then interpreters should be used to communicate with each other. However, this might be quite troublesome and time consuming. It is important to have a structured plan of the proceedings of the video conference so that everyone knows what is happening and what is coming up. Also, using good subtitling on non-real time situations (i.e. videos, etc) are a good way to bypass language barriers.

• How would you better communicate?

In video-conferences it is essential that the speaker is very articulate and does not speak too fast. Moreover, the speaker should take good use of body language as he/she must seem approachable, enthusiastic and friendly so that the other side gets the feeling that the speaker is interested and is putting in effort.

Part B

• Can you say what 'common ground' is?

It is a shared understanding that is sufficient for the task that needs to be completed.

• Can you say what 'affordance' is?

It is the attributes of things (e.g. shape, color) that tell you what you can do with or to them. (surroundings, applications, possibilities, adjust conditions)

• Can you say what 'space' is?

Space can be a perception, extension, physical environment, co-existence, movement, barriers and encounters.

• Can you say what 'deitic' references are?

In pragmatics and linguistics, deixis is collectively the orientational features of human languages to have reference to points in time, space, and the speaking event between interlocutors. A word that depends on deictic clues is called a deictic or a deictic word. Deictic words are bound to a context — either a linguistic or extralinguistic context — for their interpretation.

Some English deictic words include, for example, the following:

    now vs. then

    here vs. there

    this vs. that

    me vs. you vs. him/her

    go vs. come

The origo is the context from which the reference is made—in other words, the viewpoint that must be understood in order to interpret the utterance. (If Tom is speaking and he says "I", he refers to himself, but if he is listening to Betty and she says "I", then the origo is with Betty and the reference is to her.) Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deixis)

Part C

'Produce a set of instructions (no more than 5) to tell the other group of how to use the technologies.'

1. Find out what system the other party has and if its compatible.

2. Communicate requirements between the two parties and.

3. Have a structured plan of the discussion.

4. Check if the equipment works and set-up connection.

5. Communicate!