Soft systems methodology (SSM) is an organised way of thinking[clarification needed] applicable to problematic social situations and in the management of change by using action.
It was developed in England by academics at the Lancaster Systems Department on the basis of a ten-year action research programme.
[1][2][3][4] The Soft Systems Methodology was developed primarily by Peter Checkland, through 10 years of research with his colleagues, such as Brian Wilson.
Additionally, Peter Checkland had moved away from the idea of 'obvious' problems and started working with situations to make concepts of models to use them as a source of questions to help with the problem, soft systems methodologies then started emerging to be an organised learning system.
Real-world examples of SSM's wide range of applicability include research applying SSM in the sugar industry[6] leading to improvements in business partner relationships, successful use as an approach in project management[7] by directly involving stakeholders or aiding in business management[8] by improving communication between stakeholders.
[5] The first studies in the research programme were carried out in 1969, and the first account of what became SSM was published in a paper three-years later titled "Towards a systems-based methodology for real-world problem solving" (Checkland 1972).
The overall aim to implement change instead of introducing or enhancing a system implies that the thinking was ongoing as a result of these early experiences, even if the straight arrows in the diagrams and the rectangular blocks in some of the models can now be misleading!
The seven stage model gave an approach which applies real world situations, both large and small and public and private sector.
The four activities are:[5] In 1975, David Smyth, a researcher in Checkland's department, observed that SSM was most successful when the root definition included certain elements.
These elements, captured in the mnemonic CATWOE, identified the people, processes and environment that contribute to a situation, issue or problem that required analyzing.
In further detail, CATWOE helps explore a system by underlining the roots which involve turning the inputs into outputs.
Human activity systems can be used in SSM to establish worldviews (Weltanschauung) for people involved in problematic situations.