Learning for Action A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology, and Its Use Practitioners, Teachers and Students

Name: Learning for Action A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology, and Its Use Practitioners, Teachers and Students
Price: 43.57 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780470025543

ISBN-10: 0470025549

ISBN-13: 9780470025543

Edition: 2006

Authors: Peter Checkland, John Poulter

List price: $55.95

This item qualifies for FREE shipping.

30 day, 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Buy new: $43.57

Marketplace

2 new & used from $47.70

what's this?

Rush Rewards U
Members Receive:

You have reached 400 XP and carrot coins. That is the daily max!

Description:

The approach to tackling messy real-life situations known as Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed in a 30-year programme of action research led by Peter Checkland. The approach is now used and taught around the world, and its development has been described in depth in four books published between 1981 and 1999, which are now regarded as classics in the field. Peter Checkland and John Poulter now present a concise, crystal-clear and definitive account of SSM written for anyone who wishes to use, teach, or learn about it. This account also corrects the misunderstandings about the SSM approach, which plague its secondary literature. Learning for Action first provides an overview of SSM…

Book details

List price: $55.95
Copyright year: 2006
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated
Publication date: 4/2/2007
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 226
Size: 6.00" wide x 9.00" long x 0.50" tall
Weight: 0.704
Language: English



Preamble


A Ten-Minute Account of Soft Systems Methodology for Very Busy People


Preface


Introduction



The Nature of SSM



A Skeleton Account of SSM as a Whole


What is SSM?


What is the SSM Process?


What can SSM be used for?


Is SSM mature?


How was SSM developed?


How does SSM differ from other systems approaches?



A Fleshed-Out Account of SSM


Introduction


The SSM Learning Cycle: Finding Out


The SSM Learning Cycle: Making Purposeful Activity Models


The SSM Learning Cycle: Using Models to Structure Discussion about


The Situation and its Improvement


The SSM Learning Cycle: Defining 'Action to Improve'


The Whole SSM Learning Cycle Revisited: seven principles, fouractions



SSM in Action



SSM in Action in Management Situations


Introduction



Rethinking the Role of a Head Office Function in Shell



Evaluating Past Events



Upgrading the Skills of a Department



Tackling your own Issues



Clarifying a Concept



SSM in Action in the Field of Information Systems


Introduction



Creating an Information Strategy in an Acute Hospital



Evaluating a Clinical Information System



Evaluating a National Initiative in the NHS



Providing Information Support for Scientists and Technologists


Conclusion



SSM: Misunderstandings and Craft Skills


Introduction


Misunderstanding SSM


Craft Skills in SSM Use


Tips on Techniques in SSM



Summing Up



SSM as a Whole - some reminders


Approaching SSM: the mindset


SSM: an aide memoire



SSM's Theory



The Story of SSM's Development



A Talked-through Example of Activity Model Building



A Generic Model of Purposeful Activity Modelling



Some Frequently Asked Questions