Enriching the model‐building phase of soft systems methodology

Abstract

Abstract Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been criticized for its tendency to result in regulatory, rather than radical, agendas for change. It has also been argued that when stressing the difference between different Weltanschauungs SSM takes them at face value and does not investigate the similarities between them or seek an explanation for this in terms of the structure of society. The aim of the paper is to address these critical comments made towards SSM by incorporating a concept called qualifying function as a conceptual tool for modelling and design. The concept has the potential to help people in a particular problem situation to view the situation from new and different perspectives. It also has the potential to enrich the conceptual models by directing the transformation process. Finally, it provides an alternative technique for model validation by relating the root definition and the conceptual model closer together. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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