L21 - Soft System Methodology

Question 1

What is soft systems metholodgy?

Answer 1

• Trying to understand a complex unique, human situation
  
  • To come up with actions to improve it

Question 2

What are the different uses of soft system methodology?

Answer 2

• Used to model business processes
• Business analysis
• Carrying out of feasibility studies
• Gather requirements
• Model the cope of a new software system

Question 3

Why is soft system methodology important?

Answer 3

• Moves the focus away from technical software dev specs and mythology details
• Moves focus to user understanding and context
  
  • In order to collaboratively improve their situation

Question 4

What is the steps to software system methodology?

Answer 4

1. Understand the problem situation
2. Rich Picture created to express situation
3. Root definition (CATWOE) - system definition
4. Conceptual model of the system
5. Compare the concept and the rich picture
6. Define and discuss changes
   
   1. Changes in processes, attitudes or department structure
7. Implement the changes to improve the problem situation
   
   1. Determine method for implementation

Question 5

What are rich pictures?

Answer 5

• Cartoon visualisation of the situation to better communicate the situation
  
  • Non-verbal communication over words
• Based on:
  
  • Field research
  • Interviews
  • Observations
  • Internal company documentation
• Represents relationships, processes and viewpoint to stakeholders
  
  • • relevant departments, conflicts, etc

Question 6

What is the root definition?

Answer 6

CATWOE

C ustomers - who the system serves

A ctors - parties carrying out the activities

T ransformation processes - what inputs are converted into outputs

W orld view - the bigger picture

O wner - a party that has the power to change or create the system

E nviroment - the market in which the system operates

Question 7

What is conceptual model development?

Answer 7

• Network of processes or activities
  
  • Must be completed to satisfy the root definition
  • In order to develop the system
• What must be done OVER what can be done now

Question 8

What is the outcome of software system methodology?

Answer 8

Helps understand the problem situation in any organisational context
- To help see if the problem disappear
- A non technical solution could be implemented
- Role changes
- Communication Method Changes
- Soft problems can become hard problems
- Which require a technical solution to be carried out