Planning and management is increasingly problematic in the real-world environment of spiralling change and uncertainty. Knowledge is incomplete, values are in dispute and the decisions of others are often unpredictable. Problem structuring methods (PSMs) are now widely accepted within Operational Research and the systems movement, and have generated an impressive record of high-profile applications. This new edition provides easier access to PSMs. Each of five methods is presented from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The justification for each approach is explained, and an illustration of applying each method is given in a practical case study. New topics in line with the many advances in the field of problem structuring methods are explored and multimethodology is introduced for the first time. This book does not peddle methods for optimum solutions, but instead shows you how to facilitate an enriched and fluid decision-making process. Participatory methods are explained to assist the formulation and re-formulation of problem solving in an uncertain world. Offering contributions from leading thinkers in the field and building on the success of the first edition, this theoretical guide and practical source will prove invaluable to students of management, systems and OR and to practitioners negotiating real-life problems in today's complex, conflicting and uncertain business climate.

Table of Contents:
Contributors vii Preface xiii Acknowledgements xvii 1 A New Paradigm of Analysis 1 Jonathan Rosenhead and John Mingers 2 SODA – The Principles 21 Colin Eden and Fran Ackermann 3 SODA – Journey Making and Mapping in Practice 43 Fran Ackermann and Colin Eden 4 Soft Systems Methodology 61 Peter Checkland 5 Soft Systems Methodology in Action: Participative Creation of an Information Strategy for an Acute Hospital 91 Peter Checkland 6 The Strategic Choice Approach 115 John Friend 7 Gambling with Frozen Fire? 151 Allen Hickling 8 Robustness Analysis: Keeping Your Options Open 181 Jonathan Rosenhead 9 Robustness to the First Degree 209 Jonathan Rosenhead 10 Drama Theory and Confrontation Analysis 225 Peter Bennett, Jim Bryant and Nigel Howard 11 The M&A Play: Using Drama Theory for Mergers and Acquisitions 249 Nigel Howard 12 An Overview of Related Methods: VSM, System Dynamics, and Decision Analysis 267 John Mingers and Jonathan Rosenhead 13 Multimethodology – Mixing and Matching Methods 289 John Mingers 14 Mixing Methods in Practice 311 Richard Ormerod 15 Diverse Unity: Looking Inward and Outward 337 John Mingers and Jonathan Rosenhead Index 357