We have integrated electronic, optical, magnetic, thermal and fluidic devices into systems to construct useful analysis tools. Over the past several years, we have developed soft lithography approaches to define microfluidic systems in which pico-Liter volumes can be manipulated. These fluidic delivery systems have more recently been integrated with optical and electronic devices. We have also ...

Traditional approaches to Information System (IS) development have concentrated upon a production view of quality associated with a controlled development process and metrics that monitor attributes such as software usability, the number of software errors, and developer productivity. IS quality is also concerned with a use view of quality-how those software artefacts are used within an organis...

This paper describes the development of a senior and a graduate level course on Systems Engineering and Design for Industrial Engineering students. Students are first taught ‘Classical Systems Engineering’ topics, and they are then exposed to Sociotechnical System Theory (SST), Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). These methodologies are treated as complementa...

Despite the myriad of information systems development methods that have surfaced over recent years, and the growing interest in the use of soft systems methodology (SSM), the realisation of computer-based information systems in realworld situations continues to be somewhat challenging. Against this background, this paper will aim to delve into such a methodology known as SSM, establish an under...

This paper describes the application of Soft Systems Methodology as a tool for facilitating the review of a taught mathematics module so that the views of those engaged with the module could be captured and conflicting expectations and views highlighted. Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology is used since it enables the capture of stakeholder views and addresses both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ aspects of...

This research explores ways of harnessing people’s passion for entertainment in order to stimulate players to attain the meta-learning skills they need for lifelong learning and to reach the highest level of learning, that of learning by teaching. More specifically to keep up with today’s pace of training and the goal for it to be just-in-time, we are interested in creating a game generator to ...

This article provides an overview of the knowledge management challenges for practitioners and examines the extent to which existing information systems and operational research modelling approaches cater for the practice of knowledge management. It concludes that the current focus of modelling approaches on problem solving needs to be extended in order to deal with the human and social aspects...

This issue of Systemic Practice and Action Research, celebrating the work of Peter Checkland, in the particular nature and development of soft systems methodology (SSM), would not have happened unless the work was seen by others as being important. No significant contribution to thinking happens without a secondary literature developing. Not surprisingly, many commentaries have accompanied the ...

Soft systems methodology should offer substantial benefits in managing expectations and requirements for a software-intensive system, but the benefits have not yet been examined empirically. This paper reports an exploratory case study investigating the hypothesis that “soft systems approach would identify all the flaws in requirements practices and suggest improvements suited to an organizatio...

The traditional approaches used for the development of expert systems are mainly based on the interaction between the knowledge engineer and the domain expert. However. the role of user in the development process has been undermined. The human factors involved in the user/expert-system interaction are fundamental to the development of expert system and must be taken into account. This paper ado...