Editing Soft systems methodology (section)

{{Short description|Problem-solving method}}
'''Soft systems methodology''' (SSM) is an organised way of thinking{{clarification needed|date=April 2023}} applicable to problematic social situations and in the management of change by using action. It was developed in England by academics at the [[Lancaster University|Lancaster]] Systems Department on the basis of a ten-year action research programme.<ref>Checkland, P.B. (2001) Soft Systems Methodology, in J. Rosenhead and J. Mingers (eds), Rational Analysis for a Problematic World Revisited. Chichester: Wiley{{page needed|date=July 2020}}</ref><ref name=Checkland2000>{{cite journal |last1=Checkland |first1=Peter |date=November 2000 |title=Soft systems methodology: a thirty year retrospective |journal=Systems Research and Behavioral Science |volume=17 |issue=S1 |pages=S11–S58 |doi=10.1002/1099-1743(200011)17:1+<::AID-SRES374>3.0.CO;2-O }}</ref><ref>Checkland P.B. (1981), Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, Wiley [rev 1999 ed]</ref><ref name=":0">Checkland P.B. and Scholes, J. (1990) Soft Systems in Action, Wiley [rev 1999 ed]{{page needed|date=July 2020}}</ref>