Skip to main content

Soft Systems in Software Design

  • Chapter

Abstract

This paper explores the possibility of applying soft systems thinking as a basis for designing application software and it outlines a new method for software design (Mathiassen et al. 1991). The method is called ‘Rapid Systems Modelling’. It supports systems developers and users in going from a problematic organisational situation to the design of a new and modified computer application for that situation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Avison, D. and A. T. Wood-Harper. Multiview: An Exploration in Information Systems Development. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birtwistle, G. M., O.-J. Dahl, B. Myrhhaug, and K. Nygaard. Simula BEGIN. Studentlitteratur and Petrocelli/Charter, Lund and New York, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, B.W. A spiral model of software development and enhancement. Computer, May 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehm, B. W. Software Risk Management. IEEE Computer Society Press, Washington, D. C, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondgård, P., E. Degn, and K. Vraagaard. Prototyping: Forståelse og forandring (Prototyping: Understanding and change. Master’s thesis, Dept. Computer Science, Aalborg University, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budde, R., K. Kuhlenkamp, L. Mathiassen and H. Züllighoven, editors. Approaches to Prototyping, Berlin, 1984. Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland, P. B. and J. Scholes. Soft Systems Methodology in Action. Wiley, Chichester, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Checkland, P.B. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coad, P. and E. Yourdon. Object-Oriented Analysis. Yourdon Press and Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMarco, T. Structured Analysis and System Specification. Yourdon Inc. amp; Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, C. Outline of a paradigm change in software engineering. In G. Bjerknes et al., editors, Computers and Democracy, pages 191–210, Aldershot, 1987. Avebury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman, D. P. and G. M. Weinberg. Handbook of Walkthroughs, Inspections, and Technical Reviews. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, M. System Development. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, T., C. Milium, H. Solberg, and F. Tolstrup. En risikoledelsesmodel til design af information systemer (A risk-based model for designing information systems). Master’s thesis, Institute for Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathiassen, L. and J. Stage. Complexity and uncertainty in software design. In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Computer Systems and Software Engineering, pages 482–489. IEEE Computer Society Press, Washington DC, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathiassen, L., A. Munk-Madsen, P. A. Nielsen, and J. Stage. Rapid systems modelling: The soul of a new method. Technical report, Dept. of Computer Science, Aalborg University, February 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathiassen, L. Systemudvikling og systemudviklingsmetode (System Development and System Development Method). Computer Science Department, Aarhus University, 1981. PB-136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, P. A. Learning and Using Methodologies in Information Systems Analysis and Design. PhD thesis, Dept. of Systems and Information Management, Lancaster University, July 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nygaard, K. and P. Sørgaard. The perspective concept in informatics. In G. Bjerknes et al., editors, Computers and Democracy, pages 371–393, Aldershot, 1987. Avebury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parnas, D. L. and P. C. Clements. A rational design process: How and why to fake it. IEEE Trans. Software Eng., SE-12(2):251–257, February 1986.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parnas, D. L., P.C. Clements, and D.M. Weiss. The modular structure of complex systems. IEEE Trans. Software Eng., SE-ll(3):259–266, March 1985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parnas, D. L. On the criteria to be used in decomposing systems into modules. Comm. ACM, 15(12):1053–1058, December 1972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stage, J. Mellem tradition og nyskabelse. Analyse og design i systemudvikling (Between Tradition and Transcendence. Analysis and Design in System Development). Institute for Electronic Systems, Aalborg University, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stowell, F. A., P. Holland, P. Muller, and R. Prior. Applications of SSM in information systems design: Some reflections. Journal of Applied Systems Analysis, 17:63–70, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, B. Systems: Concepts, Methodologies, and Applications. Wiley, Chichester, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood-Harper, A. T., L. Antill, and D. Avison. Information Systems Definition: The Multiview Approach. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yourdon, E. Modern Structured Analysis. Prentice-Hall, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mathiassen, L., Munk-Madsen, A., Nielsen, P.A., Stage, J. (1991). Soft Systems in Software Design. In: Jackson, M.C., Mansell, G.J., Flood, R.L., Blackham, R.B., Probert, S.V.E. (eds) Systems Thinking in Europe. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3748-9_42

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3748-9_42

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6669-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3748-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics