scholarly journals Critical Systems Heuristics: The Idea and Practice of Boundary Critique

2020 ◽  
pp. 255-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner Ulrich ◽  
Martin Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Critical Systems ◽  
Critical Systems Heuristics ◽  
Boundary Critique

scholarly journals Improving IT project governance: A reflective analysis based on critical systems heuristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Johnstone ◽  
Mary Tate
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Critical Systems Heuristics ◽  
Project Governance ◽  
It Project ◽  
Governance Arrangements ◽  
Structural Conflict

IT project governance involves establishing authority structures, policies and mechanisms for IT projects. However, the way governance arrangements are implemented can sometimes exclude or marginalise important stakeholders. In this paper, we use critical systems thinking, and the notions of boundary critique and entrenched structural conflict, to inform a critical re-analysis of a case study where the governance proved relatively ineffective. We use the ‘twelve questions’ from the critical systems heuristics (CSH) approach to diagnose problems with governance arrangements and suggest solutions. Based on this, we suggest the CSH approach has theoretical and practical efficacy for improving IT project governance in general.

Toward Valuing With Critical Systems Heuristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily F. Gates
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Value Judgments ◽  
Critical Systems Heuristics ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Central Task ◽  
The Social

Evaluation is defined by its central task of valuing—the process and product of judging the merit, worth, or significance of a policy or program. However, there are no clear-cut ways to consider values and render value judgments in evaluation practice. There remains contention in the evaluation field about whether and how to make value judgments. No approach to valuing eliminates the uncertainty, plurality, and potential for conflict that comes with considering values. This article explores what critical systems heuristics (CSH), an area of applied systems thinking, might contribute to four long-standing issues regarding valuing: envisioning the social value of evaluation, framing the evaluand and evaluation, selecting and justifying criteria, and determining the roles of the evaluator(s) and stakeholders in valuing. CSH contributes concepts and tools that, in theory, support more reflective, responsible valuing although further practical application is needed.

Dealing with coercion: Critical Systems Heuristics and beyond

1997 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Midgley
Keyword(s):  
Critical Systems ◽  
Critical Systems Heuristics
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