Chapter 7 Hard Systems models of change Learning

Chapter 7: Hard Systems models of change

Learning objectives: • Recognize change situations (problems/opportunities) characterized mainly by hard complexity, where the use of hard systems methodologies are appropriate • Describe the main features of hard systems methodologies for defining, planning and implementing change • Explain the hard systems model of change (HSMC) as representative of hard systems methodologies of change • Discuss the limitations of hard systems methodologies of change and, therefore, the need for other change methodologies more suited to situations of soft complexity

7. 1 Situations of change: There a variety of ways of categorizing organizational change e. g incremental, frame-breaking or discontinuous. • Change of hard complexity(goals, vision & structures) is more likely to be enacted easily and speedily than situations that show soft complexity(people, culture ) • Situations of hard complexity are described as ‘difficulties’ and soft systems as ‘messes’

7. 1 Situations of change: Focus of hard models for change ”Problems” Focus of soft models for change ”messes”

7. 1 Situations of change: • Flood & Jackson classify methodologies according to their appropriateness of use in situations Unitary, pluralist & coercive • HSMC is best applied in relatively bounded situations described variously as difficulties, simple/unitarist systems or ‘hard’ situations

7. 1. 1 Characteristics of unitary, pluralist and coercive relationships Unitary: people relating to each other from a unitary perspective �share common interests, � have values and beliefs that are highly compatible, �largely agree upon ends and means, �all participate in decision making and �act in accordance with agreed objectives.

7. 1. 1 Characteristics of unitary, pluralist and coercive relationships Pluralist: people relating to each from a pluralist perspective: �have a basic compatibility of interest, �have values and beliefs that diverge to some extent, �do not necessarily agree upon ends and means, but compromise is possible, �all participate in decision making and �act in accordance with agreed objectives.

7. 1. 1 Characteristics of unitary, pluralist and coercive relationships Coercive: people relating to each other from a coercive perspective: �do not share common interests, �have values and beliefs that are likely to conflict, �do not agree upon ends and means and ‘genuine’ compromise is not possible �coerce others to accept decisions.

7. 2 Systematic approaches to change • HSMC is derived from earlier methods of problem solving and decision making, such as systems engineering methods and operational research • Hard approaches rely on the assumption that clear change objectives can be identified in order to work out the best way of achieving them • Objectives should be such that it is possible to quantify them, or be sufficiently concrete so that one can know when they have been achieved

7. 2 Systematic approaches to change �An example of a problem characterized by hard complexity” Dissatisfaction with the system for providing IT support services” The case is as follows ”Susan is calling ITsupport – as usual there is no one there. No use sending an e-mail – experience from before is that it takes at least two days to get an answer- Susan is not satisfied with the IT support – If she was responsible, she would definitely make changes”.

1, Diagnose the situation. Objectives and performance measures 2, Generate options for change 3, Implementation often no problem!

7. 3 The hard systems model of change �The HSMC is a method that has been developed for designing and managing change �It is useful with situations that lie towards the hard end of the hard soft continuum of change situations �Also useful where quantitative criteria can be used to test options for change, also it is possible to use qualitative criteria �The process fall into three overlapping phases:

7. 3. 1 change in three phases The description phase – describing and diagnosing the situation, understanding what is involved, setting the objectives for the change 2. The options phase – generating options for change, selecting the most appropriate option, thinking about what might be done 3. The implementation phase – putting feasible plans into practice and monitoring the results 1.

7. 3. 1 change in three phases �Within the three phases a number of stages can also be identified:

Case study is attached as Pdf file (you can read it with student or could be given as HW)

Conclusion • The hard systems model provides a practical approach to change that has been designed to apply to situations of low -medium complexity • The HSMC can also be effective to begin to diagnose a change situation before categorizing it into more simple or complex change • What this methodology is less good at doing is identifying the political and moral issues surrounding types of change