A Method and Software for Designing Viable Social Systems

by J. D. R. de Raadt

Overview

This companion book explains step-by-step a method to identify the primary factors threatening communities, to collect information about such factors, organise it, analyse it and design counteractions. It also includes hands-on tutorial exercises. The presentation is fully integrated with SmCube, a software package developed to analyse and design social systems. This has two benefits. Firstly, SmCube assists the systems designer apply the method. Secondly, SmCube is also a learning tool: it helps new users understand the multi-modal systems method and methodology. Used together, the two books and software provide excellent analytical and design tools for managers, community leaders and corporate planners. They may also be used as class material for courses in social systems design. SmCube was developed with support from the Swedish Defence Forces and has been applied in community project evaluations associated with the European Commission.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581126587
Publisher:	Universal Publishers
Publication date:	09/15/2001
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.48(d)

Table of Contents

	Preface	XI
Chapter 1	Introduction	1
Chapter 2	Method Overview	7
2.1	Introduction	7
2.2	Data handling	7
2.3	Simple analysis	10
2.4	Multiple analysis	12
2.5	Design	16
Chapter 3	Data Handling	19
3.1	Introduction	19
3.2	Starting SmCube	21
3.3	Sources	25
3.3.1	Source number	26
3.3.2	Type	27
3.3.3	Details	27
3.3.4	Origin	27
3.3.5	TOC & Model	28
3.3.6	Note/Abstract	28
3.3.7	Text	28
3.4	Bibliographies	28
3.5	Table of contents	30
3.6	Items	31
3.7	Graphs	33
3.8	Searching records	34
3.9	System buttons	37
Chapter 4	Simple Analysis	39
4.1	Introduction	39
4.2	Attaching items to the table of contents	39
4.3	Ordering the items	40
4.4	Exhibits	43
4.5	Copying items onto the clipboard	45
4.6	Generating a bibliography	46
4.7	Tutorial exercise 1	47
Step 1	Loading the sources	48
Step 2	Loading the items	48
Step 3	Loading the items (alternative)	49
Step 4	Creating a table of contents	49
Step 5	Attaching items to the table of contents	50
Step 6	Analysing the items	51
Step 7	Loading graphs	52
Step 8	Exhibit graphs	52
Step 9	Copying a section outline onto the clipboard	53
Step 10	Generating a bibliography	53
Chapter 5	Multiple Analysis	59
5.1	Introduction	59
5.2	Model	59
5.3	Attach to factor	62
5.4	Matrix	63
5.5	Attaching items to arrows	65
5.6	Analysis of the arrows	67
5.7	Tutorial exercise 2	70
Step 1	Exhibit graphs	70
Step 2	Creating a model	70
Step 3	Attaching items to factors	72
Step 4	Building a factors matrix	73
Step 5	Create arrow name sections	73
Step 6	Attach arrows to sections	73
Step 7	Analysing each arrow	74
Step 8	Analysed arrows	75
Chapter 6	Social Systems Design	81
6.1	Community qualities	81
6.2	Entering operations	82
6.3	Selecting social systems	84
6.4	Consolidating the results	85
6.5	Tutorial exercise 3	86
Step 1	Entering qualities	86
Step 2	Entering operations and systems	87
Step 3	Browsing and printing all operations	88
Chapter 7	Planning a Project	93
7.1	Introduction	93
7.2	Preliminary study	94
7.3	Data gathering	94
7.3.1	Interviews	95
7.3.2	Records of meetings	95
7.3.3	Records of panel discussions	95
7.3.4	Notes on observations	96
7.3.5	Records of informal conversations	96
7.3.6	Newspapers articles	96
7.3.7	Recording	96
7.3.8	Literature	96
7.3.9	Data storage and transfer	99
7.4	Analysis	100
7.5	Documentation and design proposal	101
7.6	Monitoring and evaluation	103
7.7	Conclusion	103
	References	105
Appendix A	Displays	107
Appendix B	Buttons and Help Messages	131
Appendix C	Sample Sources and Items	163
Appendix D	Sample Constraint and Inspiration	169
Appendix E	Sample Operations by Factors	177
Appendix F	Sample Operations by Systems	183
Appendix G	Obtaining Smcube Software	187
Appendix H	A Note About the Design of Smcube	189
	Index	191