A Soft Systems Approach to Wicked Environmental Problems
Soft-Systems-Ansatz für Komplexe Umweltprobleme
6 CPirregularlyEN
Contents
Part 1: Unpacking the "Wickedness" of Environmental Problems Part 2: The Systems Lens: Beyond Cause and Effect Part 3: Soft Systems Methodology: A Framework for Inquiry Part 4: Finding Out: The Art of the Rich Picture Part 5: Defining Purpose: Root Definitions and CATWOE Part 6: Building the Ideal: Conceptual Modeling Part 7: Analysis and Debate: Comparing Models with Reality Part 8: Identifying Desirable and Feasible Changes Part 9: Taking Action and Continuous Learning Part 10: Scaling Up: From Local Issues to Global Policy
Learning outcomes
Learners will be able to distinguish between "tame" and "wicked" problems and understand why traditional, linear approaches are ineffective for the complex, ill-defined issues that characterize the latter. They will acquire a systems-based mindset, learning to view environmental challenges as interconnected wholes rather than isolated events.
Assessment
3 Exercises (50%), oral presentation 20 min. (25%), short written examination 60 minutes (25%)
Literature (1)
- Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a General Theory of Planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155–169. PLOS ONE. (n.d.). Land use changes in conflict-affected territories in Colombia involve a complex system where everything is connected to everything else. Recuperado de https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0269088 The OR Society. (2025). Soft Systems Methodology: An epistemology for a learning process and making sense through the flux of life. Recuperado de(https://www.theorsociety.com/ORS/ORS/Publications/Magazines/IOR/July-2025/SSM_Checkland.aspx) Better Evaluation. (n.d.). Rich pictures. Recuperado de https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/methods/rich-pictures Burge Hughes Walsh. (n.d.). Root Definition Tool. Recuperado de(https://www.burgehugheswalsh.co.uk/Uploaded/1/Documents/Root-Definition-Tool-v1.pdf) Gasson, S. (n.d.). Deriving Conceptual Models. College of Computing & Informatics, Drexel University. Recuperado de(https://cci.drexel.edu/faculty/sgasson/SSM/Stage4.html) Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 Taylor & Francis Group. (2021). Soft systems methodology is a well-known Problem Structuring Methods that has proven effective when tackling problematic situations. Taylor & Francis Group. Recuperado de https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01605682.2021.1880298 ResearchGate. (n.d.). Applying Systems-Based Approach to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recuperado de(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372483717_Applying_Systems-Based_Approach_to_Sustainable_Development_Goals_SDGs)
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 29 Sep 2026Original