Hard systems

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Hard systems is a problem-solving approach in systems science. It is opposing soft systems. Although soft systems thinking treats all problems as ill-defined or not easily quantified, hard systems approaches (systems analysis (structured methods), operations research and so on) assume that the problems associated with such systems are well-defined, they have a single, optimum solution, a scientific approach to problem-solving will work well, and that technical factors will tend to predominate.[1][2]

Developments in hard systems thinking[edit]

Hard systems began to emerge as a distinct philosophy in the 1950s.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Michael C. Jackson (1991). Systems methodology for the management sciences. New York, NY: Plenum Press.
  2. ^ Michael C. Jackson (2003). Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.