Hard Systems Article Index for
Hard
Website Links For
Hard
 

Information About

Hard Systems




hard systems thinking
hard systems approaches (systems analysis (structured methods), systems engineering, operations research) assume:
– objective reality of systems in the world
– well-defined problem to be solved
– technical factors foremost
– scientific approach to problem-solving
– one correct solution

methodology
 in SSADM - rigid techniques and procedures to provide unambiguous solutions to well-defined data and processing problems problems, focused on computer implementations
 in SSM - a loose framework of tools to be used at the discretion of the analyst, focused on improvements to organisational problems
Systems Thinking

According to Peter Checkland, ‘Systems Thinking’ is composed of two complementary processes:

Systems Analysis

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

Paradigm 1 - reflects the notion of Hard Systems Thinking

Paradigm 2 - reflects the notion of Soft Systems Thinking

Hard Systems Thinking - an objective or end to be achieved can be taken as given and a system can be engineered to achieve the stated objective

Soft Systems Thinking - known to be desirable ends cannot be taken as given




3

Developments in Systems Thinking




4

Developments in Hard Systems Thinking

Largely developed in the 1950s

Systems Engineering

Systems Analysis

Systems Dynamics