Hard systems
Encyclopedia
In systems science
Hard systems is a title sometimes used to differentiate between different types of systems problems. It is opposing soft systems
.
thinking treats all problems as ill-defined or not easily quantified, Hard systems approaches (Systems analysis
(structured methods), Operations research
and so on) assume that:
In Soft systems methodology (SSM), a "toolbox" of techniques can be used at the discretion of the analyst. These focus on improvements to organisational problems.
, ‘Systems Thinking’ is composed of two complementary processes:
Checkland draws attention to these two alternative paradigms to explain the nature and significance of Systems Thinking:
Now the first paradigm reflects the notion of Hard Systems Thinking and the second reflects the notion of Soft Systems Thinking. Hard Systems Thinking can be characterised as having an objective or end to be achieved, and a system can be engineered to achieve the stated objective. Soft Systems Thinking can be characterised as having a desirable end, but the means to achieve it and the actual outcome are not easily quantified.
Systems science
Systems science is an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of complex systems in nature, society, and science. It aims to develop interdisciplinary foundations, which are applicable in a variety of areas, such as engineering, biology, medicine and social sciences.Systems...
Hard systems is a title sometimes used to differentiate between different types of systems problems. It is opposing soft systems
Soft systems
Soft systems methodology is a systemic approach for tackling real-world problematic situations. Soft Systems Methodology is the result of the continuing action research that Peter Checkland, Brian Wilson, and many others have conducted over 30 years, to provide a framework for users to deal with...
.
Overview
While Soft systemsSoft systems
Soft systems methodology is a systemic approach for tackling real-world problematic situations. Soft Systems Methodology is the result of the continuing action research that Peter Checkland, Brian Wilson, and many others have conducted over 30 years, to provide a framework for users to deal with...
thinking treats all problems as ill-defined or not easily quantified, Hard systems approaches (Systems analysis
Systems analysis
Systems analysis is the study of sets of interacting entities, including computer systems analysis. This field is closely related to requirements analysis or operations research...
(structured methods), Operations research
Operations research
Operations research is an interdisciplinary mathematical science that focuses on the effective use of technology by organizations...
and so on) assume that:
- the problems associated with such systems are well-defined
- they have a single, optimum solution
- a scientific approach to problem-solving will work well
- technical factors will tend to predominate
Methodology
In hard systems approaches (or Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM)), rigid techniques and procedures are used to provide unambiguous solutions to well-defined data and processing problems. These focus on computer implementations.In Soft systems methodology (SSM), a "toolbox" of techniques can be used at the discretion of the analyst. These focus on improvements to organisational problems.
Systems Thinking
According to Peter ChecklandPeter Checkland
Peter Checkland is a British management scientist and emeritus professor of Systems at Lancaster University. He is the developer of soft systems methodology : a methodology based on a way of systems thinking.- Biography :...
, ‘Systems Thinking’ is composed of two complementary processes:
- Systems analysisSystems analysisSystems analysis is the study of sets of interacting entities, including computer systems analysis. This field is closely related to requirements analysis or operations research...
- Systems Synthesis
Checkland draws attention to these two alternative paradigms to explain the nature and significance of Systems Thinking:
- Paradigm 1 - the world is considered to be systemic and is studied systematically
- Paradigm 2 - the world is problematic (I.e. it admits to many different interpretations) and we study it systemically
Now the first paradigm reflects the notion of Hard Systems Thinking and the second reflects the notion of Soft Systems Thinking. Hard Systems Thinking can be characterised as having an objective or end to be achieved, and a system can be engineered to achieve the stated objective. Soft Systems Thinking can be characterised as having a desirable end, but the means to achieve it and the actual outcome are not easily quantified.