Gain thinking skills to navigate real-world complexities

What is Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) ?

Soft Systems Methodology is a powerful approach for tackling messy, real-world problems by focusing on understanding different perspectives, facilitating learning and shared meaning among stakeholders, and iteratively developing purposeful actions through a structured yet flexible process. It emphasizes the human and social dimensions of systems and problem-solving.

Additional Glossary Terms

Unorganized Complexity

Unorganized complexity involves problems with numerous parts acting unpredictably, making individual behaviour difficult to predict. For example, traffic flow dynamics, influenced by various factors like driver decisions and road conditions,

Metaphors

Metaphors are powerful tools that help to form our thinking and effectively convey complex ideas. They provide unique perspectives and influence our actions, allowing us to create new realities and

Bounded Rationality

Bounded rationality refers to the limitations people face when making decisions. These limitations arise from the situation, their cognitive abilities, and the information available to them. As a result, people

Nested Systems

Nested systems are a hierarchical configuration of systems, characterized by smaller systems (subsystem) being embedded within larger ones. In this arrangement, each smaller system forms part of a larger one,

Closed Systems

A closed system, contrary to an open system, is one that does not exchange information, energy, or material with its environment. However, in reality, completely closed systems rarely exist, and

Reflexivity

Reflexivity is the conscious practice of self-examination, where one actively questions their own attitudes, thought processes, values, assumptions, prejudices, and habitual actions