Soft Systems Methodology: an intervention strategy.

摘要

This study discusses Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) applications for agricultural and extension educators, and presents the seven stages of SSM. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is commonly considered to be an intervention methodology to use in situations where the problem is poorly defined, controversial, or 'messy.' SSM is used to help ensure that the people component remains a central element of the programme development and problem solving process, and is the key to developing agreement on issues such as the nature of the problem, and the definition of an improved situation. The seven stages are: (1) inquire into the situation (real world); (2) describe the situation (real world); (3) define Human Activity Systems (HAS) (systems thinking); (4) conceptual modeling (systems thinking); (5) compare conceptual model with the real world; (6) debate desirable and feasible change (real world); and (7) implementation (real world).