PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN USING COMPUTER-BASED SUPPORT TOOLS TO ENHANCE 'SOFT' SYSTEMS METHODOLOGIES

This paper explores the issue of whether computer-based support tools can enhance the use of 'soft ' systems methodologies as applied to real-world problem situations. Although work has been carried out by a number of researchers in applying computer-based technology to concepts and methodologies relating to 'soft ' systems thinking such as Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), such attempts appear to be still in their infancy and have not been applied widely to real-world problem situations. This paper will highlight some of the problems that may be encountered in attempting to develop computer-based support tools for 'soft ' systems methodologies. Particular attention will be paid to an attempt by the author to develop a computer-based support tool for a particular 'soft ' systems method of inquiry known as the Appreciative Inquiry Method that is based upon Vickers ' notion of 'appreciation ' (Vickers, 196S) and Checkland's SSM (Checkland, 1981). The final part of the paper will explore some of the lessons learnt from developing and applying the computer-based support tool to a real world problem situation, as well as considering the feasibility of developing computer-based support tools for 'soft ' systems methodologies. This paper will put forward the point that a mixture of manual and computer-based tools should be employed to allow a methodology to be used in an unconstrained manner, but the benefits provided by computer-based technology should be utilised in supporting and enhancing the more mundane and structured tasks