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HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO KNOW TO USE SSM SUCCESSFULLY?
SSM provides a really powerful 'tool' to unlock the knowledge
already held by those within the organisation and expose this
to rational, defensible and auditable analysis which they
themselves perform. One immediate advantage of this approach
is a shared understanding which better enables the building
of consensus around acceptable solutions.
Whilst it is always useful to acquire the skill to build any
analysis tool 'in-house', this takes some time and experience
and so is often not the best use of limited resources.
What is essential to using SSM effectively is that those within
the organisation (who have intimate knowledge of the environment
and the problem of concern) must:
a. Guide development of the basic SSM analysis 'tool' (called
a Conceptual Model or Neutral Organisational Reference Model).
b. Understand how the tool is built and its 'status'.
c. Apply their own intimate knowledge of the organisation
in using the tool effectively to identify feasible and desirable
solutions.
In this sense, the 'customer' can not, as in other 'traditional'
approaches, outsource to outside consultants the entire development
of the solution to the their problem!
Using SSM means that any in-house team really owns and is
committed to the solution because they've been involved intimately
in structuring and analysing the problem; external consultants
merely providing the wherewithal for the 'subject matter experts'
to unlock and apply their own knowledge. This approach therefore
offers excellent value-for-money and plays to the strengths
of all participants.
The Systems Thinking Consortium structures its SSM training
offerings to reflect the undoubted strengths of such a multi-disciplinary
approach.
WHAT SSM TRAINING EXPERIENCES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SYSTEMS
THINKING CONSORTIUM?
1. SSM Familiarisation (either ½ or one day).
These provide an introduction to the relevant concepts of
systems thinking and provide an overview of SSM, how a conceptual
model is developed and how it can be exploited.
2. Basic SSM Practitioners Course. This is our main
offering for those wishing to gain an understanding of how
to exploit the approach and who wish also to develop a degree
of practitioner capability. Whilst the latter may vary between
students' individual capabilities, each participant will achieve:
i. Knowledge of the basic concepts available to tackle complex
problems.
ii. Knowledge of more advanced concepts related to an "Enterprise"
view of organisations.
iii. Understanding of the application of the range of ideas
and approaches through discussion of recent consulting activity.
iv. Understanding of the specific use of SSM for information
requirements specification in complex situations.
v. Practical involvement in the derivation and use of the
basic concepts.
vi. Sufficient appreciation of the range of ideas and their
application to provide the starting point for further development.
3. Advanced SSM Practitioners Course. Advanced training
is provided on an ad-hoc basic and would normally involve
one-to-one/small group teaching/tutorial using a live project
of interest to those attending.
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