Licenciado

Chapter 2
DR: saleh Al-zahrani
Faculty of Computer and Information Systems

The systems approach

* According to the general system theory, a system is a set of interrelated elements (Turban et al, 2001). However, Checkland, (1999) defines a system as a set of interacting systems, some of which do not work very well and can be engineered to work better. Yet Bocij et al. (1999)consider a system as a set of elements, such as people and things that are related to achieve goals. In this sense, Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University can be viewed as a system, and the Faculty of Computer and Information Science may be seen as a subsystem of the large system with its own function. Also, we could look to United Nation (UN)as systems and Saudi Arabia as sub systems of largesystem.

All human actions take place within a wider context or situation. The essential aspect of understanding situation from a system perspective is to consider the system as a whole. One of the most popular descriptions of this system or the holistic view is known as the (SSM), which is generally known as the Checkland approach. A systems approach tends to be an approach to a problem that takesthe broad view, which takes all aspects into account, and which concentrates on interactions between different parts of the problem. An approach is the way of tackling a problem, and obviously, a particular approach may be relevant to more than one subject (Checkland, 1981).

A system approach use systems thinking to help in understanding the world and its behaviour. System thinking involves theuse of systems concepts (ideas) and system methodologies and leads to construction of models of the system. Soft system modelling is a subjective process because no two people will look at any particular aspect of the world (except hard system) in exactly the same way. A system model is a set of organised assumptions about a particular aspect of the world and the way it works which have beenidentified as a system. Identifying system is not a purely objective process since the purposes and interests of the researcher will be involved. The system approach is not an attempt to understand every thing about a system, rather its tries to include all factors relevant to the topic or problem under consideration. This helps to highlight requirements of the system. System approach by itself is nota methodology, but involves the use of systems methodologies. Jenkins (1969) states that systems methodology comprises stages of system analysis, systems design, implementation and operation, formulation of the problem or objective is starting point. System approach is not a method, it is a way of looking at a problem. As result of this, finding a methodology, which uses the systems approach toapply to this study was essential Checkland's soft methodology which use system approach was chosen.

SSM has stimulated much interest and also has attracted considerable academic debate regarding its use in wider management problems and information systems issues. Indeed, SSM is not a technique (a method that requires certain procedures to be followed in order in obtain a predictable outcome),but is a set of guidelines for applying system ideas. Although these guidelines help an analyst to approach investigations methodically, they still allow considerable scope for individual interpretation. Since the original group of people who developed this approach was part of the Department of Systems Engineering, much of the activity was developed using characteristics of industry. Only inrecent years, has experience outside industry contributed significantly to SSM development (Checkland, 1999). However, during the past two decades since its inception, SSM has had a considerable success as a general purpose problem - solving methodology, tackling the messy or unstructured problems which managers of all kinds and at all levels have to cope within their work. The emphasis of SSM is...