Course co-ordinator(s): Jenny Coady (Edinburgh), Steve Gill (Dubai).
Aims:
- The module aims to give students the opportunity to develop an understanding and an ability to apply Checkland and Wilson’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
- They will be introduced to systems thinking as a means of analysing the whole context of an information system
- The use of techniques such as rich pictures and other diagrammatical notations will be used to allow analysis to incorporate all stakeholders
- Students will learn to adopt a critical approach of evaluating socio-technical systems based on an understanding of their role as a reflective practioner
- To examine the underlying frameworks
- To understand the issues that arise when characterising problems
- Practical use of these skills will be developed through exercises based on case studies.
Detailed Information
Course Description: Link to Official Course Descriptor.
Pre-requisites: none.
Location: ALP, Dubai, Edinburgh.
Semester: 2.
Syllabus:
- The problem situation unstructured
- The problem situation expressed
- Root definitions of relevant systems
- Making and testing conceptual models
- Comparing conceptual models with reality
- Identify feasible and desirable changes
- Action to improve the problem situation Systems thinking
- Socio-technical systems methods
- Modelling frameworks and issues
- People centred solutions
- Checkland’s theories and thinking
Learning Outcomes: Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Students will develop skills in the following areas:
- Critically analyse system problems from a holistic perspective. Understand and evaluate the theory behind systems thinking and Checkland’s theories
- Analysing problems using systems thinking
- Critically evaluate socio-technical systems methodologies
- Compare and contrast the frameworks and methods used within the field
- Propose and reflect on solutions to problems.
- Determine the effectiveness of conceptual models in capturing reality
- Examine the rise of people centred solutions in the modern organisation
Learning Outcomes: Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Students will develop skills in the following areas:
- Identify stakeholders and their interests in solving a problem and evaluating methods and frameworks for solving problems
- Employ a range of modelling techniques to capture and communicate key aspects of a system
- Inform and guide the solution of problems within and improvements to systems
- Understanding the people / cultural aspects of the Information Systems field
- Ability to use directed reading, and critically evaluate articles and develop learning through case studies
- Report writing and demonstrating argument development
- Use of VLE as a means of learning, contributing and discussing
SCQF Level: 9.
Credits: 15.