Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited

Planning and management is increasingly problematic in the real-world environment of spiralling change and uncertainty. Knowledge is incomplete, values are in dispute and the decisions of others are often unpredictable.

Problem structuring methods (PSMs) are now widely accepted within Operational Research and the systems movement, and have generated an impressive record of high-profile applications. This new edition provides easier access to PSMs. Each of five methods is presented from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The justification for each approach is explained, and an illustration of applying each method is given in a practical case study. New topics in line with the many advances in the field of problem structuring methods are explored and multimethodology is introduced for the first time.

This book does not peddle methods for optimum solutions, but instead shows you how to facilitate an enriched and fluid decision-making process. Participatory methods are explained to assist the formulation and re-formulation of problem solving in an uncertain world.

Offering contributions from leading thinkers in the field and building on the success of the first edition, this theoretical guide and practical source will prove invaluable to students of management, systems and OR and to practitioners negotiating real-life problems in today's complex, conflicting and uncertain business climate.

"Rational Analysis for a Problematic World" - jetzt neu in der 2. Auflage! Komplexe mathematische Methoden zur Problemanalyse sind heute nicht mehr gefragt. An ihre Stelle tritt ein kohärentes alternatives Paradigma, eine breite Palette formaler Methodologien, die nicht darauf abzielen, 'optimale' Lösungen zu produzieren, sondern darauf, einen bereicherten Entscheidungsfindungsprozeß zu ermöglichen. 'Low-Tech' - so heißt das neue Zauberwort und meint Transparenz und Mitbestimmung. Diese 'Low-Tech'-Methoden helfen bei der Formulierung und Neuformulierung der Problemlösung in einer ungewissen Welt. Mit Beiträgen der einflußreichsten Denker, darunter auch Checkland und Eden. Eine Kombination aus Theorie, Praxis und aktualisierten Methoden - eine zeitgemäße Lektüre.

Contributors vii

Preface xiii

Acknowledgements xvii

1 A New Paradigm of Analysis 1
Jonathan Rosenhead and John Mingers

2 SODA – The Principles 21
Colin Eden and Fran Ackermann

3 SODA – Journey Making and Mapping in Practice 43
Fran Ackermann and Colin Eden

4 Soft Systems Methodology 61
Peter Checkland

5 Soft Systems Methodology in Action: Participative Creation of an Information Strategy for an Acute Hospital 91
Peter Checkland

6 The Strategic Choice Approach 115
John Friend

7 Gambling with Frozen Fire? 151
Allen Hickling

8 Robustness Analysis: Keeping Your Options Open 181
Jonathan Rosenhead

9 Robustness to the First Degree 209
Jonathan Rosenhead

10 Drama Theory and Confrontation Analysis 225
Peter Bennett, Jim Bryant and Nigel Howard

11 The M&A Play: Using Drama Theory for Mergers and Acquisitions 249
Nigel Howard

12 An Overview of Related Methods: VSM, System Dynamics, and Decision Analysis 267
John Mingers and Jonathan Rosenhead

13 Multimethodology – Mixing and Matching Methods 289
John Mingers

14 Mixing Methods in Practice 311
Richard Ormerod

15 Diverse Unity: Looking Inward and Outward 337
John Mingers and Jonathan Rosenhead

Index 357

"…I have no hesitation in recommending the text to anyone interested in the current state of theory and practice…" (Systems Research & Behavioural Science, July/August 2002)

Jonathan ROSENHEAD, LSE.

John MINGERS, Warwick Business School. Planning and management is increasingly problematic in the real-world environment of spiralling change and uncertainty. Knowledge is incomplete, values are in dispute and the decisions of others are often unpredictable.

Problem structuring methods (PSMs) are now widely accepted within Operational Research and the systems movement, and have generated an impressive record of high-profile applications. This new edition provides easier access to PSMs. Each of five methods is presented from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The justification for each approach is explained, and an illustration of applying each method is given in a practical case study. New topics in line with the many advances in the field of problem structuring methods are explored and multimethodology is introduced for the first time.

This book does not peddle methods for optimum solutions, but instead shows you how to facilitate an enriched and fluid decision-making process. Participatory methods are explained to assist the formulation and re-formulation of problem solving in an uncertain world.

Offering contributions from leading thinkers in the field and building on the success of the first edition, this theoretical guide and practical source will prove invaluable to students of management, systems and OR and to practitioners negotiating real-life problems in today's complex, conflicting and uncertain business climate.

Reviews of the first edition:

'.....probably the most referenced book by JORS authors over the last 10 years.'
J. Ranyard, Journal of Operational Research Society 51 (12), 2001

' . . . a thought provoking collection of articles, delivering a strong message about the way decision analysis is moving.'
Helen Couclelis, University of California at Santa Barbara, USA

' . . .sets out extremely clearly what soft OR is about . . . the editor and authors deserve all credit.'
M.C. Jackson, Systems Practice