The use of critical systems thinking in designing a system for a university information systems support service
Authors: Warren, Lorraine; Adman, Peter
Journal: Information Systems Journal (1999)
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2575.1999.00058.x
<jats:p>Abstract. This paper reports the practical application of critical systems thinking (CST) to an information systems design (ISD)‐related problem. The potential benefits of using CST for ISD are explored, followed by a description of an intervention to derive a design for part of a UK university’s IS user support service. More specifically, total systems intervention (TSI) was used as a meta‐methodology to operationalize CST and to guide the course of the intervention. The intervention serves as a vehicle to gain insight into the potential value of CST to ISD‐related problems, and concludes with reflections on the actual benefits realized and suggestions for further research.</jats:p>