Hi John,
I have read your response to Maureen and I am very interested in the
Soft Systems Methodology you mention.
I am in the process of putting together tools and techniques,
policies and procedures to be used in our company with regards to
business analysis. Please would you be able to send me more
information on this methodology. Your assistance will be highly
appreciated.
Regards
Nasen Moodley
South Africa

--- In ITmethods@yahoogroups.com, john.brown@c... wrote:
> Hi Maureen,
>
> I'm sure that there will be a variety of solutions. However,
could I
> ask if the analysis has been done yet?
>
> What I mean is, that often, when replacing a manual system,
the
> initial view is to opt for the package that is the closest
fit to the
> current manual process, and this can often lead to
opportunities being
> missed altogether.
>
> Although more specific information is needed to do a full
analysis, I
> have successfully used the Soft Systems Methodology to update
and
> redefine manual processes to computerized on numerous
occasions, so I
> would recommend application of that approach (if the analysis
has not
> been done and there is some time available, which in itself
is rare!).
>
> I find that SSM benefits over the more straight forward
methodologies
> as it not only correctly defines (or often redefines)
business
> processes, but it allows good evaluation of less obvious
systemic
> qualities (for example, why the barriers built between
departments and
> functions are the way they are).
>
> Key to SSM is the premise:
> 'For anything to be a system, it must have a purpose, or
reason for
> existence. A purpose is given to a system by the human
beings that
> utilize it to achieve a human purpose. Therefore, a system
only
> exists in such as the purpose for its use by the humans
that use
> it.' And not the 'I'm an IT system and the human don't
matter'
> approach.
>
> I have found that when updating Manual methods, this is so
often
> overlooked.
>
> If you would like me to send you more detail on successful
application
> of SSM, just let me know, either way, good luck.
>
> John
>
>
> ______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
> Subject: [ITmethods] straight through processing
> Author: "MCCLAIN; MAUREEN" <MAURMC@S...> at Internet
> Date: 29/08/2001 1:05 PM
>
>
> I am looking for business solutions (methodology) provided with
end to end
> processing or frequently called straight through processing. This
is often
> found when bringing a manual set of procedures up to date with an
automated
> system. Any ideas, recourses on how this was implemented and/or
strategized
> globally?
> Maureen Mc Clain QAA
> EFM/EOS Project Manager
> SAFECO Life & Investments
> (425)376-8058
>
> We are about cost containment, pure and simple. We want to save
the company
> money, lot's of money. We want to see a return on investment right
away. We
> are competitive and well,.... we might appear somewhat aggressive.
(Maureen
> McClain)
>
>
>
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