A concern-coping methodology based on system complexity thinking

A concern-coping methodology based on system complexity thinking has the following main phases:

Phase 1: Problem-context exploration via rich picture building
Phase 2: Identification of a main concern, the related key topic theme for investigation and the main stakeholders involved

• Main concern to be examined (e.g. dissatisfied with the logistics performance of the company)
• Topic theme to study (accompanied with literature review effort) [The topic theme is related to the main concern identified)
• Unit of analysis (People, task, department, or organization, etc) [This concept comes from the Research Methods literature]
• Problem-solving unit (individual, team, or organization)

Phase 3: Formulation of the key concern in System complexity terms (based on Ho and Scull (1995).)

• To gauge the level of soft complexity as exhibited in the  key concern
• To find out to what extent the concern can be considered as a wicked problem

Phase 4: Developing coping strategies with variety engineering thinking (from Organizational Cybernetics) [This exercise can be complemented with the root-definition and conceptual model building exercise in Soft Systems Methodology]

• The conceptual model building exercise should draw on systems notions so that the conceptual models so constructed are able to work effectively.

Phase 5: Take actions to address concerns

• Actions so carried out can follow an action research  approach (which is essentially participatory in nature) if it is politically and culturally feasible to do so

Phase 6: Check and review consequences of actions
Phase 7: Revisit Phase 1 again


The methodology is intended to be grounded on Critical Systems Thinking; further elaboration of the system complexity notion and how system complexity is to be coped with by means of variety engineering can be found in Ho and Sculli (1995). Most likely, the concern-coping methodology proposed by me can be developed via case study research strategies, including action research strategy.

This note represents a preliminary effort by me to develop a concern-coping methodology based on Ho and Sculli (1995).

Reference
Ho, J.K.K. and Sculli, D. (1995) "System Complexity and the Design of Decision Support Systems" Systems Practice 8(5), pp. 505-516