The thrust of this book is problem solving for large systems and is certainly not about computer systems specifically. To use the author’s imagery, one can consider a spectrum of problem types which might range from “hard” problems, such as a car with a flat tire, to “soft” problems, such as bringing peace and justice to Northern Ireland. The author attempts to address problems which he says are “management problems which lie towards the latter end of the spectrum.” The book is based on work carried out at the Department of Systems (formerly Systems Engineering) at the University of Lancaster, in England, over the last two decades.
The five major sections of the book are:
(1) Models and Modeling;
(2) A Systems Language;
(3) Systems Methodologies;
(4) Problem Solving and Methodology; and
(5) Management Control and Information Systems Analysis.
There are also three appendices: one on types of model, a second describing a detailed case study, and the third containing exercises. The concept central to the whole book is “action research” which is defined as “simultaneously bringing about change in the project situation (the action) while learning from the process of deriving the change (the research).” Four classes of systems are presented: (1) Natural Systems, (2) Designed Systems, (3) Human Activity Systems, and (4) Social and Cultural Systems. The author concentrates principally on Human Activity Systems. Methods of clearly defining what a system is required to do are developed, the key concept being the “root definition.” Once the definition has been established, the activities prescribed are: Finding Out, Selection, Model-building, Comparison, and Recommendations for Change.
The book is full of examples taken from the over 200 projects which have been carried out by the Department of Systems at Lancaster University in collaboration with its allied consulting company. This gives the feeling that one is communicating with a successful consultant, and that the methodologies presented are both practicable and have a good chance of achieving the desired goals. The methodology presented lies somewhere between scientifically applied common sense and the common sense application of scientific methods.
I found the book both stimulating and valuable. It is recommended to anyone who is attempting to solve problems in the context of human organizations, particularly where people are interacting with modern technology.
