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UCL Centre for Systems Engineering

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How to use Soft Systems Methodology Workshop

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This course is suitable for anyone who wants to develop skills for dealing with difficult situations but particularly those involved with complex organisational issues.

Soft Systems Methodology is a technique that can help deal with messy, real-world problems in which it can be difficult to establish agreement on what the problem even is. This course is intended to develop participants' understanding of SSM tools and assumes no prior knowledge.

The workshop will next run on

  • 28th April 2014

Contact Laura Mullin on +44 (0)1483 204 100

The workshop is run in London, on the UCL Campus, within a short walk from Euston Station.

The workshop runs from 09:30 to 16:30

The cost is £375 including a light lunch and refreshments of tea and coffee.

Overview

When objectives are clear and easily agreed upon, decisions about what is needed in a project or situation can be straightforward - even if there are practical difficulties with realising the vision. But often we find ourselves with problem situations where we have difficulties establishing agreed objectives in the first place. Soft systems methodology was developed as a systemic approach to dealing with such real-world, messy problems - to help identify actions that can improve the situation even if no complete solution is possible. This one-day course provides an introduction to both the underlying principles of SSM and the practical tools needed to apply it.

Format

The course is delivered as a combination of interactive taught sessions and group exercises.

Tutor

This course is delivered by Dr. Laura Mullin, a tutor with UCL's Centre for Systems Engineering.

Laura's interests include service systems engineering and the application of systems thinking to business and project management. She has worked in complex projects in research, healthcare and space operations over the last 12 years.