Lecture 14 and 15 Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is Polya’s general method for problem solving?
Understand, plan, solve and check
What is meant by the understand step of Polya’s general method?
Read the problem carefully
Make sure you understand what is meant
Identify the body of knowledge/rules that are apllicable
What is meant by the plan step of Polya’s general method?
Decide on any approach that employs a practical method that is not guaranteed to be optimal or rational but is nevertheless sufficient for reaching an immediate short-term goal.
What is meant by the solve step of Polya’s general method?
Implement a method
+Logical reasoning
+Pattern recognition
+Working backwards
+Adopting a different point of view
+Considering extreme cases
+Solving a simpler version
+Organising the data
+Drawing/visual presentation
+Considering all possibilities
+Informed guessing
What is meant by the check step of Polya’s general method?
Check and confirm the answer for accuracy
What are the characteristics of messes?
Multiple role-players with differing views on the situation
There is no clear agreement on what the actual problem is
There is no agreement on objectives
Complexity is at a political level
What are the characteristics of problem structuring methods?
Structuring of a problem situation
Facilitating dialogue between stakeholders
Process is more important than outcome
Resolutions are suggested by stakeholders themselves
Process is led by a facilitator, who mediates
How does SSM relate to infomation systems?
The soft systems methodology is associated with soft systems thinking and is applicable to any human activity system
What is the overall philosophy of the soft systems methodology?
The recognition that the real world is complex and messy because humans inhabit it
The perception will be based upon concepts and beliefs we hold in our head.
What is the first step of the soft systems methodology?
+Summary of problem situation, understanding the problem
+Gather information and views about problematic situation
+Do some basic research into the situation to gather information on stakeholders and current issues
+Use data gatherings methods
+Draw a rich picture
What is step two of the soft systems methodology?
Structure the problem; identify alternative potential views, themes or stakeholders of the problem
+Capture the multiple views by splitting messy situation into sub systems of human activity
+Define sets of transformations that explain how the system works or needs to change
What is step three of the soft systems methodology?
Formulate a root definition for each view, theme, stakeholder using CATWOE
+The root definition is a statement of purpose that captures the essence of the particular situation of the relevant theme
+The transformation is captured in the main verb in the root definition
What is CATWOE?
T: Transformation is the purposeful activity expressed as a transformation of input to output(input to output)
O: The owner is the wider decision maker who is concerned with the performance of the system(those who can stop T)
A: The actors are those individuals who would do the activities of the transformation if the solutions was made real(those who do T)
W: Weltanschauung is the belief that makes sense of the root definition(the worldview that makes T meaningful in context)
C: The customer is the individuals who received the output from the transformation(the victims or beneficiaries of T)
E: Environmental constraints is the key constraints outside the system boundaries(elements outside the system which are taken as given)
What is step four of the the soft systems methodology?
Deriving conceptual models
+Analyse the activities which need to take place in order to clearly define what the actors need to do in order to achieve the transformation
+Produce a model indicate how the activities feed into each other
+This is done for every root definition
What is step five of the soft systems methodology?
Compare conceptual models with the real world
Models should represent the ideal world
Consider how far your model is from the ideal world
Provide a solid set of prioritized recommendations for what changes need to be made to existing activity systems
What is the six step of the soft systems methodology?
Analyse feasibility and desirable change
Determine the changes that need to take place to move from the real world to the ideal world
Determine the feasibility of these changes
Determine the risks associated with these changes
Set priorities for the changes to be implemented
What is the seventh step of the soft systems methodology?
Action to improve
Consider two cardinal rules of change management when implementing change
-Do not try to change everything at once. Plan a set of incremental changes and reassess the need for change after each one
-Involve the people actually working in the activity system.
