Problem Structuring : Methodology in Practice.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yearworth, Mike.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Operations research.

Problem solving.

System analysis.

Engineering--Study and training.

Engineering.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (366 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Newark : John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2024.

Summary:

"Despite the myriad successes of Operational Research (OR) in government and industry, critique of its continued relevance to complex, wicked problems led to the emergence and evolution of Soft OR as a more humanist orientation of the discipline centred on a methodological framing of techniques known as Problem Structuring Methods (PSMs). These have enabled OR practitioners to broaden the scope of OR to address complex problem contexts that require transforming, planning and strategising interventions for their clients. The original core PSMs of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) and the Strategic Choice Approach (SCA) are presented using a new analytical framework based on constitutive rules, epistemologies, and affordances of the modelling approach. Practical considerations in PSM based interventions are discussed emphasising trust-building, stakeholder identification, facilitation and ethical practice. A wide range of PSM applications are surveyed demonstrating clear intersections with communities of practice grounded in the applied social sciences. The development of a new PSM based on Hierarchical Process Modelling (HPM) of purpose arising from a processual turn in engineering practice offers additional insights for the practice of Soft OR. New developments in PSM practice built on use of Group Support Systems (GSS) and exploiting developments in machine learning are presented. Prospects for bringing the Soft OR project back into better alignment with mainstream OR are discussed in the context of new education programs and a possible processual turn in OR"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Glossary

Part I The Problem of Problem Formulation

Chapter 1 Origins

1.1 Why Methodology?

1.2 Why Not Problem‐solving?

1.3 From Puzzles, Problems, to Messes

1.4 The Apparent Success of Operational Research

1.5 The Process of Problematisation

1.6 Problem Structuring Methods

1.7 Summary

Chapter 2 Wicked and Messy Problems

2.1 On Dichotomies

2.2 Wicked and Tame

2.3 Swamps and High Ground

2.4 Problems and Messes

2.5 An Ontological Viewpoint

2.5.1 Cynefin

2.5.2 Wickedness and Anatomy of Complexity

2.5.3 The System of Systems Methodologies

2.6 The Burrell and Morgan Framework

2.7 Category Mistakes and Paradigm Incommensurability

Chapter 3 A Pragmatic Framing

3.1 Dichotomies, Again

3.2 Organised Finding Out

3.3 Action Is Knowledge

3.4 Ways Forward

Part II Problem Structuring Methods

Chapter 4 The Emergence of PSMs - A History

4.1 The Critique of the Mainstream OR Phase: Emergence of a New Paradigm

4.2 The Methodological Phase: Emergence of Core Methodologies

4.3 First Reflective Period

4.4 Summary

Chapter 5 Comparison of Core Methods

5.1 Analysis of the Three Core Techniques

5.2 Constitutive Rules

5.3 Epistemologies

5.4 Comparative Affordances of Modelling Approaches

5.5 A Processual Analysis of Modelling in the Core Methodologies

5.5.1 SSM

5.5.2 SODA Project

5.5.3 SCA

5.6 Summary of Core Modelling Approaches

5.7 The Influence of Computer‐supported Modelling

5.8 Related Approaches

5.8.1 IBIS

5.8.2 Causal Loop Diagrams

5.9 Conclusion

Chapter 6 The Practice of Problem Structuring

6.1 Recap

6.2 Establishing a Trust Relationship

6.3 Dealing with the Value Paradox.

6.4 Identifying Relevant Stakeholders and Dealing with Multi‐organisational Contexts

6.5 Being Ready to Facilitate

6.6 Ethical Practice

6.7 Relation to the Wider PSM Field

6.8 Summary

6.9 State of the Art

Part III Problem Structuring in Engineering Practice

Chapter 7 Developing a Problem Structuring Sensibility in Engineering

7.1 Introduction

7.2 From Systems Engineering to Soft Systems Methodology - and Back Again

7.3 Philosophy of Engineering

7.4 A New Definition of Soft Systems for Engineers

7.5 Systems Engineering in the Context of Systemic Cooperation

7.6 Conclusions

Chapter 8 On the Theoretical Foundations of Systems Engineering1

Chapter 9 Hierarchical Process Modelling1

9.1 Motivation

9.2 Origins

9.3 What Is HPM as a PSM?

9.3.1 Process Epistemology

9.3.2 Modelling Purpose

9.3.3 How/Why Modelling Dialectic

9.3.4 Measuring Process Performance with Explicit Representation of Uncertainty

9.3.5 Argumentation

9.4 Epistemology for HPM

9.5 The Affordance of the HPM Approach

9.6 Assembling into a Methodology

Chapter 10 Practical Aspects for Using HPM as a PSM

10.1 Case Study I -STEEP and REPLICATE Projects

10.2 Updating the Tool Support for the Modelling Approach

10.3 Teaching Example I - 'SuperCo'

10.4 Teaching Example II - Servitisation and the Circular Economy

10.5 Teaching Example III - Heritage Railway MEng Consulting Project

10.6 Case Study II - 'Continuous Process Manufacturing Company'

10.7 Case Study III - Healthy Resilient Cities

10.7.1 Workshop

10.7.2 Key Findings from the Project

10.7.3 Selling the Approach as a Commercial Service

10.7.4 Infrastructure Interdependency

10.8 Conclusions

Chapter 11 Problem Structuring in Engineering Practice

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Anticipation, Injunctions and Translations.

11.3 Widening Participation and Broadening the Scope

11.4 Moving Away from Singular Outcomes

11.5 Working with Multiple Viewpoints

11.6 Being Aware of Conceptual Limitations

11.7 Valuing Process Knowledge

Part IV Evolution

Chapter 12 Evaluation

12.1 Why Wait Until Now?

Chapter 13 Survey of PSM Applications

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Method of Selection

13.3 Classification of PSM Applications

13.4 Survey of PSM Applications by Subject Area

13.5 Observations

13.6 Interdisciplinarity

13.7 Other Traditions

13.8 Conclusions

Chapter 14 Digital Transformation Through Group Support Systems (GSS)

14.1 Motivation

14.2 Experimental Setting

14.3 Teaching Requirements

14.4 Reflections

14.5 The Effectiveness of Online Problem Structuring Practice

14.6 Teaching of PSMs in an Education Setting

14.7 Extension to Large Group Working

Chapter 15 New Technologies for Augmenting PSM Practice

15.1 Augmented Qualitative Analysis (AQA)

15.2 PSMs in the Age of LLMs

15.3 Future Directions

Chapter 16 Setting the Agenda

16.1 Building Links

16.1.1 Towards New Disciplinary Partners in Applied Social Science

16.1.2 Towards Mainstream OR

16.2 Education

16.3 Introducing a Processual Turn in OR

Grant and Project Funding

Selected Bookshelf

References

Index

EULA.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781119744856

1119744857

9781119744849

1119744849

9781119744832

1119744830

OCLC:

1428781803