The Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was born out of research conducted at Lancaster University where scientists attempted to apply Systems Engineering approaches to solve “management/business problems”. In other words, they tried to apply a Hard Systems approach, but it failed simply because the different stakeholders have divergent views on what constitutes the system, the purpose of the system and, therefore, the problem.
The key players in the development of the SSM are Peter Checkland [1999] and Brian Wilson [2001].
who through “action research” were able to put together a practical and pragmatic approach to the identification and solution of “soft” ill-defined problems. This methodology was more than just a process;
Checkland and Wilson also developed a set of tools to help users carry out the steps:
References
- Checkland, P. B. (1989). Soft systems methodology. Human systems management, 8(4), 273-289.
- Checkland, P., & Poulter, J. (2020). Soft systems methodology. Systems approaches to making change: A practical guide, 201-253.
- Wilson, B. (2001). Soft systems methodology. Conceptual model building and its contribution, 35.