Soft Systems Methodology

Soft Systems Methodology is an analysis and design methodology in the context of system analysis, which was developed in the 1960s by Peter Checkland at the University of Lancaster. SSM attempts by the holistic view of a problem situation and the analysis of how the individual pieces correspond to each other, to find a comprehensive improvement. Not only in the broadest sense technical, but also factors of corporate culture are considered.

Particular attention is paid to the separation of the real problem situation that is felt messy and problematic, and the theoretical system model that is created for the structuring of thought processes. The model serves as a tool for communication to visualize the situation. It is, however, interpreted neither as a model of the real situation, nor as a model of how the situation should be.

The goal of SSM analysis is to uncover unconscious and covert problem factors, possible ways to improve show this to check the technical and cultural feasibility, and finally implement the improvements.