How Can We use a “Hard” Method in a “Soft” way? Lessons Learnt from Cases Using “Rating Chart Methods”

Abstract

In considering the question ‘how can we make an effective choice of systems method?” we generally assume that a method is to be used in only one way or in a few ways, which a user takes for granted. These usages are within the range of what the developer of the method prescribes. Usually a description of a method in a textbook gives us an idea of “how it is used”, and users follow that description. If a user has problems with its usages, she/he would develop her/his own usage. However little attention on how to use them in real-world management seems to have been given so far. My questions here are; (a) How are methods actually used in various ways in real management situations?; (b) How can actual cases be generalized? (c) Why are methods used in various ways? Firstly, I relate my experience of how DA of the KT method was used in actual management; secondly, some lessons are drawn from the case; and finally some comments are made on “choice of methodology“. (In this discussion the term “usage” means a way to use something either in principle or in practice.)