Analysis of Soft Systems Methodology in Relation to Construction Essay

Analysis of Soft Systems Methodology in Relation to Construction Projects - Essay Example .................6 Methodology of SSM in Construction Project Risk Management.............................7 Limitations of SSM and Need to use Hard Systems..................................................8 References..................................................................................................................10 Analysis of the Soft Systems Methodology in Construction Projects Construction projects are complex processes that incorporate many skills, materials, and different operations (Sears et al, 2008). There is therefore a need for numerous skills and techniques to be put together to ensure the best results are attained, not only for the contractors but numerous stakeholders involved in the project. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) seeks to inquire about the perceptions and preferences of different stakeholders in a given construction project (Andrews, 2000). In other words, SSM is a method of giving some kind of legitimacy to a project by trying to understand th e desires and needs of various people who affect or are affected by the construction project at hand. SSM tries to investigate complex issues and problems that are not well defined on the basis of numerous stakeholder views and demands and upgrade the knowledge about a project and integrate them in the project (Checkland, 1999). Basically, SSM is a system of investigating and understanding the environment within which a construction project will be undertaken. ... Information is solicited from the various stakeholders through questionnaires or through external consultants. This information is collated and present to the project managers for incorporation into the full project. Merits of Soft Systems Methodology in Construction Projects Tayyab et al (2005) identify that construction projects face challenges that cannot be underestimated due to safety, competition and complexities. This is because the failure of a construction project can potentially lead to unimaginable fatalities that can have far-reaching effects on human lives. Secondly, competition in the building industry requires that all the stakeholders in a given project are satisfied otherwise there would be consequences for a construction company. Additionally, the harmonization of standards around the globe and the desire for high standards by various stakeholders in the world today require critical satisfaction of customer demands. Traditional approaches to the management of projec t systems that are focused on operations and technicalities are therefore not good enough any more (Tayyab et al, 2005). There is the need to satisfy all the needs of the various stakeholders to ensure that a construction project meets its objectives and does so very well. Soft Systems Methodology ensures that purposeful and deliberate action is undertaken to understand and upgrade the knowledge of the contractors to ensure that the construction project at hand is completed according to the demands of various stakeholders. The CATWOE model enables all the various stakeholder needs and demands to be put into perspective and honour them as the project is being undertaken.