SSM model

Question 1

what are the stages of SSM

Answer 1

1. An unstructured problem situation / issue
2. Express the problem situation.
3. Develop root definition
4. Use conceptual models to envisage ideal solutions
5. Comparing the ideal solutions with current reality
6. Evaluate changes for implementation (feasible, desirable changes)
7. Take action to address the issue

Question 2

Stage 1: unstructured problem situation/ issue

Answer 2

1, Unstructured problem situation/ issue

• immerse into the context of the ssue. (issue/ context/ perceptions)
• delay asking “what problems are you facing?” - aim to contruct a rich uunderstanding .
• sit down with client (talk to other stakeholders, staff, managers，customers etc)
• read documents (minuted, reposrts newspapers)

need to understand the perceptions of

1) who are the stakeholders
2) the social system (values, roles etc)

case of the Drunken feedback.
-MAP out relationship and the power.

Question 3

Stage 2 - Rich picture

Answer 3

•Begin to structure the situation (SSM is often called a ‘problem structuring method’)
- display findings through rich picture better able to highlight key systematic relationships

1) Stakeholder and roles (Customers, suppliers, influencers)
2) cultural norms, values and beliefs about the world.
3) power and politics (areas of conflict)

Question 4

what is Weltanshauun

Answer 4

means = “ View onto the world”.

• Multiple views – reflecting the diversity of individuals (their backgrounds, experiences, personalities etc)
• Stakeholders with different Ws will favour /support/resist different transformation initiatives in response to the same situation.

success = actions that ca be “lived with” by multiple Ws

Question 5

Stage 3 : CATWOE

Answer 5

Template for what may be possible.

C= Customer (Affected by T as victims or beneficaries)
A= actors ( who would do the activity)
T = transpormation (input = output)
W= Weltansauun = world view
O = owners 
E = enviroment

Question 6

Case of the phoney Fung shui

Answer 6

What happened?

• workload change
• new managers
• upgraded systems
• Intro into flexible workplace = all lead to deviation form expected result. - solving the problem here will led to success.

Three conditions for problems to arise:

• deviation from expectation,
• case unknown
• We care