Exploring Soft Systems Methodology in Business Analysis

The assignment explores Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), emphasizing its application in solving unstructured problems within business contexts. Key components such as CATWOE are discussed through various resources, including videos and images that illustrate SSM's stages and practical applications. The analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of SSM compared to hard systems methodology, providing insights into its real-world effectiveness. References include scholarly articles and multimedia sources demonstrating local revitalization efforts using SSM.

Running head: SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY-BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Soft Systems Methodology-Business Analysis
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY-BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Rich Picture:
Link 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eiplcjBu0
Discussion: This video shows soft systems methodology and its aspects. The video shows how
soft systems methodology is used to solve unstructured problems. The strengths and weaknesses
are taken into account for effective use of soft systems methodology. The author shows how soft
systems methodology is used and its component, CATWOE. The video focuses on unstructured
problems solutions through soft systems methodology stages. The video also shows how soft
system methodology is different from hard systems methodology (Robertson 2016).

2SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY-BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Reflection: This video helps me to get an understanding of strong and weak areas of soft
systems methodology, and how it differs from hard systems methodology.
Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumJx66XJVk
Discussion: The author in the video shows how to do CATWOE analysis. The video shows
detailed analysis of CATWOE and how it is used. The analysis is shown through several
questions which should be asked while doing an analysis of a situation. The questions are helpful
for detailed analysis. The author in this video describes CATWOE analysis and its sequential
process in details. The video also shows the examples where CATWOE analysis is done and
used (Schade 2016).
Reflection: This video helps me to get an understanding of CATWOE analysis uses and function
with deep analysis and evaluation. The CATWOE analysis helps me to get how it is used and
what are its issues.
Link 3: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=7550894
Discussion: The author of this article focuses on how soft systems methodology helps in local
revitalization of abandoned land in Oga. The article focuses on analysis, evaluation and solution
solutions using soft system methodology. The overall analysis is followed using step-by-step
procedures where first rich picture was designed and then root cause is found with
countermeasures. Therefore, the author tries to show how soft systems methodology and its
various components are necessary in solving issues of real world (Iwashita and Kato 2016).
Reflection: This article helps me to understand the application of soft systems methodology in
real world situations and how soft system methodology and its components work.

3SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY-BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Link 4: https://ianjseath.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/ssm_hindle.png
Discussion: This image shows soft systems methodology use in a group. The image shows the
how soft systems methodology is applied in a group of people. The problems is approached and
solved through soft systems methodology from various points of view. The author has
formulated the image in such a way that it helps to understand how a problem is solved by a
group or team. The image shows flow of process of soft systems methodology for a problem as
seen from different perspectives of team or group members (Soft Systems Methodology2014).
Reflection: This image helps me to understand that use of soft systems methodology can be
viewed from different perspectives even in a group. The process flow helps me to get an
understanding of working of soft systems methodology.
Link 5: http://40qx6d15vq6j25i83v3ks8nxfux.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2012/08/seven-
steps2.gif
Discussion: This image shows the 7 stages of soft systems methodology. The author has
presented the image in such a way that it describes the seven stages sequentially. The stage of
soft systems methodology is divided into two parts. This shows that which stage works in which
part and how they are connected with each other. The author has tried to show the flow of
working of soft systems methodology stages (Seven Steps of Soft Systems Methodology 2014).
Reflection: This image helps me to get an understanding of connection stages of soft systems
methodology and its sequential working from beginning to end.

4SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY-BUSINESS ANALYSIS
References
Iwashita, M. and Kato, S. 2016, June. Local revitalization model based on soft systems
methodology. In Computer and Information Science (ICIS), 2016 IEEE/ACIS 15th International
Conference on (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Robertson, C. 2016. Soft Systems Methodology. [video] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eiplcjBu0 [Accessed 5 Feb. 2018].
Schade, M. 2016. How To Do CATWOE Analysis. [video] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumJx66XJVk [Accessed 5 Feb. 2018].
Soft Systems Methodology. 2014. [image] Available at:
https://ianjseath.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/ssm_hindle.png [Accessed 5 Feb. 2018].
Seven Steps of Soft Systems Methodology. 2014. [image] Available at:
http://40qx6d15vq6j25i83v3ks8nxfux.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2012/08/seven-steps2.gif
[Accessed 5 Feb. 2018].