This pre-recorded course of 2h 6minutes plus exercises originally took a 6h day to work through.
This is an introductory training course, designed for those relatively new to systems thinking and provides basic training in modelling organisational or institutional situations using SSM.
Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is a practical, participative approach for tackling complex, messy, human-centred situations where there is no single right answer. It recognises that a “system” is not fixed — it is something people perceive differently depending on their perspective. SSM helps groups work with these multiple viewpoints rather than ignore them.
What does it do?
SSM helps individuals and groups to:
- Make sense of complex situations
- Surface and explore different stakeholder perspectives
- Structure thinking without oversimplifying reality
- Move from confusion and disagreement to shared understanding
- Identify practical actions people can support and live with
Rather than jumping to solutions, SSM creates the conditions for better-informed, collectively owned decisions.
How does it work?
SSM follows a simple but powerful learning cycle:
1. Understand the situation
- Identify stakeholders and their perspectives
- Explore the situation visually using rich pictures
2. Define purposeful systems
- Clarify purpose using Root Definitions (PQR: what, how, why)
- Refine using CATWOE (Customers, Actors, Transformation, Worldview, Owner, Environment)
3. Model activity
- Build conceptual activity models (7 ± 2 key activities)
- Include how activities are monitored and controlled
4. Compare and act
- Compare models with real-world practice
- Use differences to structure discussion
- Agree “accommodations” — changes that are both:
- Systemically desirable
- Culturally feasible
The workshop is hands-on and uses a real case - Surrey Youth Services Transformation. This can be done individually, but is far more powerful when done collaboratively, as the value comes from exploring different perspectives.
What will you gain?
- A structured way to work with complexity
- Practical tools for stakeholder engagement
- Confidence to handle ambiguity and multiple viewpoints
- Ability to move from analysis to agreed, actionable change
In one sentence:
SSM helps people make sense of complex situations together and agree actions they can realistically take.
Trainer
These courses are delivered by Simon MacCormac, a Senior Strategic Advisor | Advanced Systems Practitioner | Global Transformation Leader.
Simon MacCormac is a seasoned strategic advisor with over 30 years of global consulting experience across digital transformation, systems thinking, and executive leadership. With a sound track record of board-level advisory and enterprise-wide transformation, he has led major initiatives in healthcare, defence, finance, telecoms, and national infrastructure across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. A certified Advanced Systems Practitioner, Simon blends systems thinking, strategic facilitation, and executive coaching to drive sustainable, collaborative outcomes. His roles have included senior leadership at CSC, Nokia Siemens Networks, Deloitte, and Arthur D. Little, and he continues to consult independently with public and private sector clients, notably within the NHS and care sector. Simon also teaches to postgraduate level and contributes to UK government systems thinking initiatives.