Soft Systems Thinking, Methodology and the Management of Change

Brian Wilson was a founding member of the Systems Department at Lancaster University in 1966, where he participated with Professor Peter Checkland in the 'Action Research' of the Department, which led to the emergence of Soft Systems Methodology. The Action Research programme involved working with over 300 organisations in which teams of staff and students effectively acted as consultants to those organisations. Thus for this period and later, when running his own consultancy company, Brian has been involved in the application and development of SSM-related ideas within the real world. Kees van Haperen is a consultant specialising in the effective implementation within organisations of Soft Systems Methodology. He is currently a visiting lecturer at Loughborough University, UK. He has published a number of papers and book contributions in the fields of crisis management, risk management, organisational learning, requirements management and systems thinking.

'This book is bang up to date with diverse and challenging case material from financial crisis to military threats - no other current book rivals its rich content and insights into analysis and problem solving. The process of SSM is strikingly detailed. It is an excellent source for teaching for both postgraduates and undergraduates and for practitioner reference. I will use this book in my University teaching, my research and my international consultancy.' - Mike Walsh, Stirling University Management School, UK 'This book is an important addition to the literature on soft systems methodology from one of the originators of the approach. It is of particular value to practitioners, containing numerous examples of well-formulated root definitions and complex conceptual models and their use in a variety of live consultancy projects.' - Mike Jackson, University of Hull, UK 'Wilson and van Haperen offer a comprehensive treatment of the ideas underpinning Soft Systems Thinking. Their work clarifies the actual practice of Soft System Methodology for those seeking to manage complexity in the real world. This book is a rare achievement that I suspect will become a classic for students, academics and practitioners alike.' - Alberto Franco, Loughborough University, UK

• PART I: SSM FUNDAMENTALS1. Introduction2. Organisational Analysis3. An Overview of Soft Systems Methodology4. Features of Soft Systems MethodologyPART II: Advanced Concepts5. A Publishing System6. A Policing System7. A Healthcare System8. An Employment Agency9. Defence Systems10. A Centre of Excellence11. A Government System12. Other Government Depertments13. A Charity14. Generic Reference Models15. Information Assurance16. SummaryPART III: CASE STUDIES17. General Considerations18. Aiding Good Practice19. Systems Thinking and Macro Issues20. The Judiciary21. Healthcare22. Policing23. Defence24. Conclusions.