Editing Soft systems methodology (section)

==CATWOE==
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In 1975, David Smyth, a researcher in Checkland's department, observed that SSM was most successful when the root definition included certain elements. These elements, captured in the mnemonic CATWOE, identified the people, processes and environment that contribute to a situation, issue or problem that required analyzing.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Smyth |first1=D. S. |last2=Checkland |first2=P. B. |date=1976 |title=Using a systems approach: the structure of root definitions |journal=Journal of Applied Systems Analysis |volume=5 |number=1 |pages=75–83}}</ref>

This is used to prompt thinking about what the business is trying to achieve. In further detail, CATWOE helps explore a system by underlining the roots which involve turning the inputs into outputs. CATWOE helps businesses as it analyses a gap between current and useful systems. Business perspectives help the business analyst to consider the impact of any proposed solution on the people involved. This mainly involves stakeholders which allows them to test assumptions they have made as stakeholders will all have different opinions about certain problems and opportunities. CATWOE's method helps gain better and achievable results, as well as avoiding additional problems using six elements. 
The six elements of CATWOE are:

<ref>{{cite web |last=Jarvis |first=Chris |url=http://www.bola.biz/research/ssm.html |title=Business Open Learning Archive: CATWOE and Soft Systems Methodology |publisher=Chris Jarvis for the BOLA Project |accessdate=2009-04-09 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401190249/http://www.bola.biz/research/ssm.html |archivedate=2009-04-01}}</ref>
* Customers – Who are the beneficiaries of the highest level business process and how does the issue affect them?
* Actors - The person or people directly involved in the transformation (T) part of CATWOE (Checkland & Scholes, 1999, p.&nbsp;35). Implementation and involvement by the actors allows for the input to be transformed into an output (Checkland & Scholes, 1999, p.&nbsp;35). Actors are also stakeholders as their actions can affect the transformation process and the system as a whole. As actors are directly involved, they also have a 'holon' by which they interpret the world outside (Checkland & Scholes, 1999, p.&nbsp;19) and so how they view the situation would impact their work and success.
* Transformation process – Change, in one word, is the centre of the transformation system; the process of the transformation is more important for the business solution system. This is because the change is what the industry 5.0 sustainability system intends. The purpose behind the transformation system where change is applied holds value. For example, when converting grapes into wine the purpose for Change is to supply to grape consumers more value of the grape (product), thus sustaining the product value systemically. What is the transformation that lies at the heart of the system - transforming grapes into wine, transforming unsold goods into sold goods, transforming a societal need into a societal need met? This means change, in one word, is the centre of the transformation system; the process of becoming is more important than the business solution system. This is because the change is what the industry 2.0 systemic sustainability system practice purpose solves. The purpose behind the transformation system where change is provides the change, thus the results. For example when converting grapes into wine the purpose for Change is to supply to members of the public interest or involvement in grapes more value of the product, thus sustaining the product value more systemically.
* Weltanschauung (or Worldview) – What is the big picture and what are the wider impacts of the issue? "The word Weltanschauung is a German word that has no real English equivalent. It refers to "all the things that you take for granted" and is related to our values". But the closest translation would be "world view", which is the collective summary of the stakeholders belief that gives meaning to the root definition. Model of the human activity system as a whole.
* Owner – Who owns the process or situation being investigated and what role will they play in the solution?
* Environmental constraints – What are the constraints and limitations that will impact the solution and its success?

CATWOE can also be related to the holistic multi-benefit analysis due to the multiple perspectives that are taken into consideration. It further understands the perspectives and concerns of different stakeholders involved in the human activity systems adhering to the core values of soft systems thinking allowing multiple perspectives to be appreciated with good knowledge management