{"product_id":"learning-for-action-9780470025543","title":"Learning For Action","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter an explanation of the book's purpose, the authors provide in Part 1 first an overview of SSM as a whole, then a fleshed-out account with just enough detail and advice to enable the reader to set about using the approach in problem situations of concern. Part 2 describes examples of SSM in action and also pays special attention to one of the most common application areas: that of work in the information system\/information technology field. A final chapter in part 2 discusses the difficulties some people have in grasping the true nature of SSM, drawing attention to the inadequacies in much of the secondary literature. Appendices provide an outline of the theoretical considerations which underpin SSM, a guide to sources of further information and illustrations of some of SSM's techniques.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This volume is a concise and definitive account of SSM for all who wish to use, teach or learn about it.\"Civil Engineering August 2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePreamble A TEN-MINUTE ACCOUNT OF SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY FOR VERY BUSY PEOPLE.\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePreface.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eINTRODUCTION.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePART 1 \u003ci\u003eTHE NATURE OF SSM.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 1\u003c\/b\u003e A SKELETON ACCOUNT OF SSM AS A WHOLE.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat is SSM?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat is the SSM Process?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat can SSM be used for?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIs SSM mature?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow was SSM developed?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow does SSM differ from other systems approaches?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2\u003c\/b\u003e A FLESHED-OUT ACCOUNT OF SSM.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe SSM Learning Cycle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eFinding Out.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe SSM Learning Cycle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eMaking\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ePurposeful Activity Models.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe SSM Learning Cycle: Using Models to Structure Discussion about.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Situation and its Improvement.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe SSM Learning Cycle: Defining ‘Action to Improve’.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Whole SSM Learning Cycle Revisited: seven principles, four\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eactions.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePART 2 \u003ci\u003eSSM IN ACTION.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3\u003c\/b\u003e SSM IN ACTION IN MANAGEMENT SITUATIONS.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 1: Rethinking the Role of a Head Office Function in Shell.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 2: Evaluating Past Events.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 3: Upgrading the Skills of a Department.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 4: Tackling your own Issues.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 5: Clarifying a Concept.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4\u003c\/b\u003e SSM IN ACTION IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 1: Creating an Information Strategy in an Acute Hospital.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 2: Evaluating a Clinical Information System.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 3: Evaluating a National Initiative in the NHS.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCase 4: Providing Information Support for Scientists and\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eTechnologists.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5\u003c\/b\u003e SSM: MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND CRAFT SKILLS.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntroduction.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMisunderstanding SSM.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCraft Skills in SSM Use.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTips on Techniques in SSM.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePART 3 \u003ci\u003eSUMMING UP.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6\u003c\/b\u003e SSM AS A WHOLE – some reminders.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproaching SSM: the mindset.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSSM: an aide memoire.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eppendix One: SSM’s Theory.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendix Two: The Story of SSM’s Development.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendix Three: A Talked-through Example of Activity Model Building.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendix Four: A Generic Model of Purposeful Activity Modelling.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppendix Five: Some Frequently Asked Questions.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Wiley \u0026 Sons Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48864621298007,"sku":"9780470025543","price":39.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780470025543.jpg?v=1722272766","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/learning-for-action-9780470025543","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}