Chapter 4 ? Soft Systems Methodology
4.1 Soft Systems Methodology
As it may suggest, the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is a soft tool for application in a wide range of systems development investigations. It is widely used in the field of systems analysis and is recognised as a most useful technique in gaining a detailed understanding of a problem situation. As a ?front end' tool, the Soft Systems Methodology is adopted in this project as a means to explore the current situation and further justify the ensuing development.
Most of the methods available methods are based upon the assumption that there is a problem that needs solving. In contrast to other methods SSM understands that there may not be a problem ? per say, but a situation which would benefit from improvement. Wilts County FA falls firmly into this category. From initial fact finding it has become evident that there is no specific problem to be addressed, but there is scope for improvement in line with the Football Association (FA) and their willingness to improve the efficiency of the game at county level. There are, at the moment, data administration methods in place, but associated with this is the desire for a more up to date and user friendly administration system. To this end, SSM has been selected as a tool to achieve this purpose and shall be studied and utilised forthwith.
4.1.1. History
The Soft Systems Methodology was developed by Peter Checkland in 1981. Prior to working at Lancaster University, he was a Senior Manager in industry for 20 years during which time the science of management was becoming increasingly popular. Many of the tools and techniques which were conceived from this science, he found to be little use in the development of his ...