Learning For Action A Short Definitive

From the father of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), Peter Checkland, comes a new, accessible text which clearly and concisely looks at SSM. The book leaves out all of the development detail and historical/intellectual material which can be found in Checkland's other classic works, but contains the practical essentials that will allow teachers to teach SSM accurately and students to learn it with real understanding. Features: + Short and definitive account of SSM containing the practical essentials. + Written with great clarity and presented in a reader-friendly way. + Contains examples of SSM in action. + Includes cases.

Peter Checkland is the recipient of the 'Most Distinguished and Outstanding Contributor' Award of the British Computer Society Methodologies Group, 1994 Recipient of the Gold Medal of the UK Systems Society for 'Outstanding Contribution to Systems Thinking' and 1997 Recipient of a Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship. Now retired from full time university work, Peter Checkland continues his research and writing.

John Poulter is a practitioner of SSM. He first used SSM formally when working with Peter Checkland in the UK’s National Health Service in 1993. A founder member of the Soft Systems Research Group, he has presented papers and other publications on the use of SSM.

Preamble
A Ten-Minute Account of Soft Systems Methodology for Very Busy People
Preface
Introduction
The Nature of SSM
A Skeleton Account of SSM as a Whole
What is SSM?
What is the SSM Process?
What can SSM be used for?
Is SSM mature?
How was SSM developed?
How does SSM differ from other systems approaches?
A Fleshed-Out Account of SSM
Introduction
The SSM Learning Cycle: Finding Out
The SSM Learning Cycle: Making Purposeful Activity Models
The SSM Learning Cycle: Using Models to Structure Discussion about
The Situation and its Improvement
The SSM Learning Cycle: Defining 'Action to Improve'
The Whole SSM Learning Cycle Revisited: seven principles, fouractions
SSM in Action
SSM in Action in Management Situations
Introduction
Rethinking the Role of a Head Office Function in Shell
Evaluating Past Events
Upgrading the Skills of a Department
Tackling your own Issues
Clarifying a Concept
SSM in Action in the Field of Information Systems
Introduction
Creating an Information Strategy in an Acute Hospital
Evaluating a Clinical Information System
Evaluating a National Initiative in the NHS
Providing Information Support for Scientists and Technologists
Conclusion
SSM: Misunderstandings and Craft Skills
Introduction
Misunderstanding SSM
Craft Skills in SSM Use
Tips on Techniques in SSM
Summing Up
SSM as a Whole - some reminders
Approaching SSM: the mindset
SSM: an aide memoire
SSM's Theory
The Story of SSM's Development
A Talked-through Example of Activity Model Building
A Generic Model of Purposeful Activity Modelling
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Learning For Action A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems Methodology, and its use for Practitioners, Teachers and Students

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials