Soft systems and systems engineering: on the use of conceptual models in information system development
Authors: Doyle, K. G.; Wood, J. R. G.; Wood‐Harper, A. T.
Journal: Information Systems Journal (1993)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2575.1993.tb00124.x
<jats:p><jats:bold>Abstract. </jats:bold> Many recent studies have shown that computer‐based systems continue to ‘fail’ at a number of different levels (Romtec, 1988; KPMG, 1990) and it is increasingly apparent (Maclaren et al., 1991) that the most serious failures of information technology (IT) lie in the continuing inability to address those concerns which are central to the successful achievement of individual, organizational and social goals. It is the contention of this paper that this failing is precisely because these are the areas which are ignored or inadequately treated by conventional system development methods.</jats:p><jats:p>There is, of course, a vast body of literature concerned with the understanding of complex human activity systems. This literature often reflects a mass of contradictions at the epistemological and the ontological level about the behaviour of such systems and has also spawned numerous methods (and methodologies) which seek to guide the individual in making successful interventions into organizational situations (Rosenhead, 1989).</jats:p><jats:p>Despite this multiplicity of viewpoints many writers have posited a dichotomy between so‐called 'soft…