Problem Structuring Methods - Decision Making Assignment

Internal Code: MAS6008

Decision-Making Assignment:

According to Checkland (1994), ill-defined problems are those which can be understood through the soft systems approach. Here, the world is assumed to be problematic but also assumed that the process of inquiry into the problematic situations that make up the world can be organized as a system (Checkland; 1983). With ill-defined problems, the more explore the more answers you discover. There is no structure to frame the problems since it is complex, multi-layered, multidimensional and non-linear. There are also many possible solutions, with no real right answer and no definitive roadmap to solve problem stemming from the difficulty in grasping the drivers of the problem. Because problem cannot be solved in traditional ways, ill-defined problems embody the attributes, which require the application of fresh thinking. Due to the interdependencies and relationships that exist between each part of the systemic problem, there are consequences in attempting to solve the wicked problem, one cannot change the problem, you can change the conditions to improve or further exacerbate the problem with unintended consequences. There is only one opportunity to strategize and get it right because any action is taken to correct the problem leads to another set of permanent changes, bringing a new set of problems to be solved. This assignment will identify and describe the ill-problem of the future of higher education in South Africa. The reason that the particular problem is ill-defined is that the problem spans across multiple, interrelated domains i,e political, economic, social, technological and legal.