RMIT, School of BIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requirements Engineering: Systems Studies

Research Scope Background Reading Some Projects
Some Theses

Jump to

 Staff
Research Centre Affiliation Some Publications Contact

Scope of the Research:

Ross Smith and research associates, in the School of Business Information Technology at RMIT University, have an active research program, employing Action Research, Case Study and Laboratory-based methods, which seeks to apply and further develop systems thinking to tackle the sort of messy, ill-structured problems which real life presents to managers, of all kinds and at all levels.

In recent years, research has centred upon ideas, developed originally at Lancaster University (UK), now broadly classified as "Soft Systems Methodology" (SSM). These ideas arose out of an observed failure of Systems Engineering (SE), when attempts were made to apply SE to management problems. Whereas SE is concerned with achieving objectives, SSM is a learning system. It supports learning about complex problematic human situations, by promoting the development of relevant system models, which, when compared to the existing problem situation, will stimulate and provide a language which supports dialogue leading to desirable, feasible action to improve the situation.

Some Background Reading:

Interested readers may wish to explore some of the seminal literature including:
Checkland, P.B. (1981) "Systems Thinking, Systems Practice", Wiley, Chichester.
Checkland, P.B. and Scholes, J. (1990) "Soft Systems Methodology in Action", Wiley, Chichester.
Davies, L. and Ledington, P. (1991) "Information in Action: Soft Systems Methodology", Macmillan, Houndsmills.
Wilson, B. (1990) "Systems: Concepts, Methodologies and Applications - Second Edition", Wiley, Chichester.

A Selection of Projects:

Studies have been directed towards the theory and application of the Lancaster Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to strategic planning and analysis of information systems. Specific areas of completed and present study include:

RAAF Logistics System
A small team undertook a systems analysis of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in-service technical logistics system using an approach based upon SSM. This resulted in arguably the most substantial model of such activities yet devised. Professor Peter Checkland, widely accepted as the founder of the SSM approach, reviewed the work, and agreed to the soundness of the analysis undertaken.

Surveys of Australian Applications of SSM
A major survey of Australian industrial applications of SSM to corporate planning, organisational structuring, and information system strategic planning was completed by a 2 person team. More recently, follow-up work has been instituted, concentrating upon the development of a methodology for the analysis of applications of SSM completed by analysis teams of which one was not a member, and with the potential to yield a means of assessing the extent to which deviations from methodology have been applied and the maturity of the SSM process in an organisation.

Computer Aided Systems Engineering (CASE) tool support to SSM
A masters student has made progress towards the development of CASE tool support of practitioners of SSM. A prototype has been subjected to user evaluation, and a software requirement has been prepared based upon responses to that prototype.

Opportunism and SSM
A PhD candidate has developed a model which has underpinned a program of protocol analysis based investigation of teams undertaking SSM studies. This work is directed towards establishing a sound basis for an understanding of the broader issue of opportunistic behaviour by designers (ie, behaviour characterised by departures, deviations and variations from standard methodological practice).

Methodological Aspects of SSM
Various projects, some involving Masters level students, have been completed. Methodological aspects under consideration include:

  • The determination of sub-system boundaries in SSM
  • The relationship between SSM and object-oriented analysis approaches
  • The application of SSM-based object-oriented methods to Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)
  • The application of SSM to Social Service Oriented Enterprises - the Private Nursing Home study
  • The heuristics used in the construction of Conceptual Models from Root Definitions in the Soft Systems Methodology
  • Knowledge representation within SSM, including the application of nonmonotonic logic to SSM models

Using Soft Systems Methodology to Front-End the Analysis and Design of Supply Chain Management Systems
The aim of the research is to explore the use of SSM to complement extant supply chain analysis and design techniques. There has been little research to date on how management actually perceives the nature of the supply chain. Indeed, extant supply chain analysis and design approaches offer little guidance to the exploration of such matters, and specifically to the understanding of the supply chain as a culture. Further, there is little understanding of how these perceptions might affect the subsequent task analysis underpinning specification and design of a supply chain management system. The techniques encompassed in the parallel streams of inquiry model of Checkland and Scholes would appear to offer a means of addressing this gap.
If successful, this research will enhance the toolkit of methodologies available to the supply chain analyst. Further, it will increase understanding of supply chain issues and so improve the performance of businesses optimising their entire supply chain—leading to, for example, higher customer service levels and direct reductions in costs.

Some Research Theses:

PhD:

A. Khushalani
Modelling and Supporting Opportunistic Design Problem Solving

Masters:

J. Zhang
An Investigation of Computer Support of the Soft Systems Methodology

Masters (Minor Thesis):

S. Boyle
An Investigation of Heuristics used in the Construction of Conceptual Models from Root Definitions in the Soft Systems Methodology

B. De Silva
A Comparison of the State-Behaviour Modelling and Jacobson's Object-oriented Approach to Business Process Re-engineering

P. Houlihan
Knowledge Representation within SSM: The Application on Nonmonotomic Logic to Soft System Methodology models

Grace Te Lim
A Soft Systems Investigation of Nursing Home Care: The Betheden Nursing Home Study

Agnes Lai Yock Owyong
The Identification of Sub Systems in a Soft System Study with a view to Information Systems Development

H. Younessi
Towards a Systemic Approach to Object-Oriented Analysis

Honours:

L. Merlo
Investigating the Application of SSM to SCM: Integration with the SCOR Approach in a Workshop Environment

Staff:

The following staff work (have worked) with Ross Smith on various systems studies related projects in recent years:

John Lamp

David Mackay

Research Centre Affiliation:

Research is conducted at RMIT University and jointly with members of the Requirements Engineering Group in the School of Information Systems at Deakin University.

Some Indicative Publications:

    Refereed Journals

  1. R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "A Macro Analysis of the RAAF Logistics System - A Case Study in the Application of Soft Systems Methodology", ASOR Bulletin, 1986, 6 No 2, pp 14-21
  2. R.B. Watson and R. Smith, "Applications of the Lancaster Soft Systems Methodology in Australia", Journal of Applied Systems Analysis, 1988, 15, pp 3-26
  3. A. Khushalani, R. Smith and S. Howard, "What Happens when Designers Don't Play by the Rules: Towards a Model of Opportunistic Behaviour in Design", Australian Journal of Information Systems, 1994, 1 No 2, pp 2-31
  4. H. Younessi and R. Smith, "Utilisation of a Systemic Business Process Re-engineering Method as a Tool to improve Software Process Quality", Proceedings of the British Computer Society Quality SIG's Annual International Conference on Software Quality Management, pp 61-74 Cambridge, England, 1-3 April, 1996 and Software Quality Journal, 1996, 5, pp 157-170
  5. J. Zhang, R. Smith and R.B. Watson, " Towards Computer Support of the Soft Systems Methodology: An Evaluation of the Functionality and Useability of an SSM Toolkit", European Journal of Information Systems, 1997, 6, pp 129-139
  6. G. Gencoglu, G. Altmann, R. Smith and D. Mackay, "Using Soft Systems Methodology to address Supply Chain Management Problems", Australian Journal of Information Systems, 2002, 9 No 2, pp 49-56

    Refereed Conference Proceedings

  7. R.B. Watson and R. Smith, "A Macro Analysis of the RAAF Logistics System", Proceedings of the 7th National Conference of the Australian Society for Operations Research, 1985, pp 104-119
  8. R.B. Watson and R. Smith, "Information Systems Planning in Australia using the Lancaster Soft Systems Methodology", Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Australian Computer Society (Victorian Branch), 4-6 March 1988
  9. R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "A Methodology for the Critical Analysis of Soft Systems Studies: Development and Initial Investigations", Proceedings of the Second World Congress on Action Learning, pp 419-422, Brisbane, 14-17 July 1992
  10. A. Khushalani, R. Smith and S. Howard, "Understanding Opportunism in Design: Theory Building using the Soft Systems Methodology", Proceedings of the 4th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, pp 809-823, Brisbane, 28-29 September 1993
  11. R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "Systems Thinking and the Education of the Software Engineer: Reflections on the Swinburne Experience", Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the ISSS, pp 628-641, University of Western Sydney, 4-9 July 1993
  12. R. Smith, S. Howard, T. Sutherland and A. Khushalani, "Theorybuilder: A Behavioural Perspective on Modelling and Improving Systems Development", Proceedings of the 1st Australian Seminar on Modelling and Improving System Development, pp 84-106, Melbourne, 3-4 February 1994
  13. H. Younessi, R. Smith and D. Grant, "Systemicity: A Rationale for revisiting Object-Oriented Techniques", Proceedings of the 5th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, pp 273-284, Melbourne, 27-29 September 1994
  14. A. Barnden, R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "A Framework for Analysing SSM-Based Studies", in "Critical Issues in Systems Theory and Practice" (eds K. Ellis, A. Gregory, B.R. Mears-Young and G. Ragsdell), Plenum Press, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference of the United Kingdom Systems Society, pp 207-213, Hull, UK, 10-14 July 1995
  15. H. Younessi and R. Smith, "Systemicity and Object-Oriented Approaches to Business Process Re-Engineering", Proceedings of the 1st Australian Systems Conference, pp 277-284, Perth, Western Australia, 26-28 September 1995
  16. H. Younessi, R. Smith and D. Grant, " Towards a Systemic Approach to Object-Oriented Analysis", Proceedings of the 6th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, pp 963-974, Perth, Western Australia, 26-29 September 1995
  17. S. Howard and R. Smith, "Using the Soft Systems Methodology to Front-End Task Analysis", Proceedings of the Australian Conference on Computer Human Interactions (OzCHI'95), pp 88-94, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, 27-30 November 1995
  18. R.B. Watson and R. Smith, "Why Systems Studies Sometimes Fail: Reflections on some Failed Studies", Proceedings of the Second Australian Systems Conference, Monash University, Melbourne Victoria, 29 September - 2 October 1996
  19. P.J. Houlihan, R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "Knowledge Representation within Soft Systems Methodology: An Examination of the Logico-Linguistic Approach", Proceedings of the Second Australian Systems Conference, Monash University, Melbourne Victoria, 29 September - 2 October 1996
  20. S.R. Boyle, R. Smith, K. Bluff and R.B. Watson, "An Investigation of Heuristics used in the Construction of Conceptual Models", Proceedings of the 5th International Conference of the United Kingdom Systems Society, De Montfort University and the Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, 7-11 July 1997, in "Systems for Sustainability", ed. F.A. Stowell et al., Plenum, London, pp 413-420
  21. R. Smith, R.B. Watson and G.T. Lim, "Why Systems Studies sometimes "Fail"", Proceedings of the 4th Conference of the Association of Asian-Pacific Operations Research Societies within IFORS (APORS'97), University of Melbourne, 30 November - 4 December 1997
  22. P. J. Houlihan, R. Smith and R.B. Watson, "Knowledge Representation within Soft Systems Methodology: Some Observations on the Application of Nonmonotonic Logic to Soft System Methodologies Models", Proceedings of the 11th Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS00) December 2000 p 38
  23. G. Gencoglu, G. Altmann, R. Smith and D. Mackay, "Using Soft Systems Methodology to address Supply Chain Management Problems - Proof of Concept", Proceedings of ANZSYS 2001, Perth, Australia, November 2001 pp 40-50
  24. R. Smith, G. Altmann, D. Mackay and G. Gencoglu, "Using SSM to improve Supply Chain Management Effectiveness", in Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference of the UK Systems Society, "Systems Theory and Practice in the Knowledge Age", Edited by G. Ragsdell et al., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York 2002 pp 87-96
  25. G. King and R, Smith, "An Exploratory Comparison of SSM and Soft SD Approaches to a Consultancy Workshop", "Managing Complex Systems", Proceedings of the 8th Australian and New Zealand Systems Conference, Mooloolaba, Queensland, 10-12 December 2002 pp 249-265

    Book Chapters

  26. R. Smith, D. Mackay, G. Altmann and L. Merlo, "The Application of Soft Systems Methodology to Supply Chain Management", in "Supply Chain Management: Issues in the New Era of Collaboration and Competition", Edited by W.Y.C. Wang et al., Idea Group Inc. Publishers, Hershey, PA U.S.A., 2006 ISBN 1-59904-232-0, pp 254-285

    Department of Defence Papers

  27. R. Watson, R. Smith, SQNLDR G. Voumard, M. Jarvis and P. Clark, "The RAAF Logistics Study", CSE Report 27, 1986
    Vol.1 Introduction, Methodology and Environment
    Vol.2 The RAAF Supply System
    Vol.3 The RAAF Technical System
    Vol.4 Overview, Observations and Outlook

    Editorship

  28. Proceedings of the International Conference on Systems Thinking in Management, Deakin University 8-10 November 2000, Editors: G. Altmann, J. Lamp, P.E.D. Love, P. Mandal, R. Smith and M. Warren, ISBN 0 646 40478 4
  29. Proceedings of the Seventh Australian Workshop on Requirements Engineering, Deakin University, 2-3 December 2002, Editors: J.L. Cybulski, L. Nguyen, J.W. Lamp and R. Smith, ISBN 0 7300 2566 7
  30. Proceedings of the Tenth Australian Workshop on Requirements Engineering, Deakin University, 22 November 2005, Editors: K. Cox, J.L. Cybulski, L. Nguyen, J.W. Lamp and R. Smith, ISBN 1 74156 029 2

 

Contact:

Professor Ross Smith
School of Business Information Technology,
RMIT University,
GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne,
Victoria, 3001 Australia.
Telephone: +61 3 9925 5412
Fax: +61 3 9925 5850
Mobile: +61 3 0419305225
E-mail: ross.smith@rmit.edu.au

Page last updated: 12 December 2007[ross.smith@rmit.edu.au]
© RMIT University 2007