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A System of Systems Methodology: Difference between revisions
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Problem-contexts, it followed, could also exhibit a 'unitary' or 'pluralist' character. Bringing the two dimensions of 'systems' and 'decision- makers' together, to form a four-celled matrix, yielded a classification of problem-contexts as mechanical-unitary, systemic-unitary, mechanical-pluralist and systemic-pluralist. Some brief justifi- cation was provided for the choice of the two dimensions forming the matrix. | Problem-contexts, it followed, could also exhibit a 'unitary' or 'pluralist' character. Bringing the two dimensions of 'systems' and 'decision- makers' together, to form a four-celled matrix, yielded a classification of problem-contexts as mechanical-unitary, systemic-unitary, mechanical-pluralist and systemic-pluralist. Some brief justifi- cation was provided for the choice of the two dimensions forming the matrix. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="col"| | ! scope="col"| | ||
! scope="col"| Unitary | ! scope="col" style="width: 50%"| Unitary | ||
! scope="col"| Pluralist | ! scope="col" style="width: 50%"| Pluralist | ||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Mechanical | ! scope="row"| Mechanical | ||
| | | | ||
* Assumes that it is relatively easy to establish clear objectives for the system in which the problem resides, so the context must be unitary. | * Assumes that it is relatively easy to establish clear objectives for the system in which the problem resides, so the context must be unitary. | ||
* The system is represented in a quantitative model which simulates its performance under different operational conditions something only possible if the system is simple and the context mechanical. | * The system is represented in a quantitative model which simulates its performance under different operational conditions something only possible if the system is simple and the context mechanical. | ||
* Classical OR Systems analysis and systems engineering are most appropriate for solving problems. | |||
| Mechanical-pluralist contexts responded to the kind of systems design method proposed by Churchman, and by Mason and Mitroff in their 'strategic assumption surfacing and testing' methodology. | |||
|- | |- | ||
! scope="row"| Systemic | ! scope="row"| Systemic | ||
| | | Cybernetic approaches, such as advocated by Beer and in the socio-technical systems literature. | ||
| The soft systems thinking proposed by Ackoff and by Checkland could minister to problems set in systemic-pluralist problem-contexts. For example, | | The soft systems thinking proposed by Ackoff and by Checkland could minister to problems set in systemic-pluralist problem-contexts. For example, Ackoff's 'interactive planning' exhibited, through the participative principle, a method to cope with pluralism and, through the proposed design for a 'responsive decision system', an attempt to come to terms with systemicity. | ||
|} | |} | ||
The above analysis is: | |||
* Of practical importance because it can assist problem solvers to choose an appropriate methodology for the particular circumstances they faced. | |||
* Its theoretical message is that OR and the other systems-based methodologies, far from being in competition with one another, could be used in an informed way, as a set of complementary tools, to tackle a much greater range of problem types. | |||