Systems Methodologies

Abstract

The discussion in the previous chapter showed that there exists a range of systems-based methodologies capable of tackling situations which lie outside the boundaries of hard systems thinking. These boundaries, defined by the existence of complexity and pluralism, pose difficulties for hard systems thinking which can be overcome by altering the way in which systems ideas are seen to support methodologies. In this chapter the insights gained from the discussions in the previous two chapters are used as a basis for the development of a methodology aimed at helping analysts to understand the nature of the situations they confront and to choose or design an appropriate methodology with which to tackle those situations.