From: kling@ics.uci.edu (Rob Kling)
Subject: Incorporating Org Behaviour into Systems Analysis
Newsgroups: comp.groupware,comp.infosystems
Date: 16 Aug 92 20:14:50 GMT

A couple of people who have read or scanned  "Behind
the Terminal: The Critical Role of Computing Infrastructure In
Effective Information Systems' Development and Use" have
characterized some of the arguments as misrepresenting
"traditional" methods of systems analysis. I don't use
the term "traditional" when referring to a relatively narrow
form of systems analysis (which I call "discrete entity
models.").

Discrete entity models *do not* treat computerized
systems as only the physical system, but they do focus on
formal organizational goals, resources, and reporting
relationships. (see below).  DE models do emphasize information
engineering.

I'm extracting (below)
the characterization of discrete entity models and socially
richer web models form the paper so that readers can better see
the characterizations that I do make. These models are
both "ideal types."

I suspect that most critics of the paper would like to see
organizationally/socially rich forms of systems analysis in
practice. I strongly agree with this sentiment. Some of the
information engineering representations, such as dataflow
diagrams, can be helpful. But they don't go far enough.

We seem to differ, in part, on what systems analysis methods are
frequently taught in universities and the nature (and diversity)
of common practices in *end user* organizations today. The high
end of practice is often very socially attuned. Unfortunately,
less socially sensitive approaches also still seem to be
common.

In response to my posting, I received several supportive
messages, including one from a manager whose organization is
going through a " business process redesign effort using a tool
called IDEF (Integration Definition Language).  The premise
behind it is that we first model the organization from the
strategic level, incorporating all critical mission elements and
goals into the analysis of existing functions. ..... This
approach does not take into account physical contraints and
social relationships ..." This seems much closer to a discrete
entity approach than a web approach.

  I encourage net readers who find this contrast useful to print
and read the article (rather than trying to comprehend it
through online scanning).

  I would also be interested in learning of any good cases
which can be used to help teach organizationally/socially
rich forms of systems analysis.

Best wishes,

Rob Kling
UC-Irvine

                ========================================
                                           Table 1

                            Assumptions of Discrete-Entity Models

D1.    A computing resource is best conceptualized as a particular
       piece of equipment, application, or technique which provides
       specifiable information processing capabilities.
       a.     Each computing resource has costs and skill requirements
              which are largely identifiable.
       b.     Computer-based technologies are tools, and are socially
              neutral.

D2. Role of Infrastructure:

       a.     The infrastructure for supporting the focal computing
              resource and the organizational procedures by which it is
              organized and sustained are critical elements.

       b.     Each computer-based service is provided through a set of
              structured computing resources and organized
              infrastructure.  Deploying, managing, and setting
              procedures for these infrastructural resources is
              separable from deployment of the focal computer-based
              technology.  Infrastructure, either technical or
              administrative, is a neutral resource.

       c.     "Human factors" must be taken into account to ensure that
              people are well trained and motivated to do what is
              required.  But "human factors" are "organizational
              problems" which are separable from "technical problems."

D3.    Control over Infrastructure: Organizations have ample
       resources to support all of their computing developments and
       uses simultaneously.  Elements of infrastructure are necessary
       for making the equipment or technique available to developers
       or users, and they can be counted on to be of adequate quality
       and available as necessary.

D4.    The focal computing resource and any element of infrastructure
       can be analyzed independently of:
       a.     its interactions with other computing resources;
       b.     the social or organizational arrangements within which
              computer-based services are developed and provided
              (infrastructure and macrostructures).

D5.  Social Action:

       a.     Organizational behavior is best described by the formal
              goals, procedures, and administrative arrangements of the
              acting units.

       b.     The use of a computing resource is best described by its
              formal purposes and features.

==================================================
Table 2 -- Assumptions of Web Models

W1.    A computer system is best conceptualized as an ensemble of
       equipment, applications, and techniques with identifiable
       information processing capabilities.
       a.     Each computing resource has costs and skill requirements
              which are only partially identifiable.
       b.     In addition to its functional capabilities as an
              information processing tool, computer-based technologies
              are also social objects which may be highly charged with
              meaning.

W2.    Role of Infrastructure:
       a.     The infrastructure for supporting the focal computing
              resource and the organizational procedures by which it is
              organized and sustained are critical elements.
       b.     Each computer-based service is provided through a set of
              structured computing resources and organized
              infrastructure. This organization of essential resources
              makes computer-based systems into a form of social
              organization. Like any organization or institution, it is
              not necessarily neutral.
       c.     There is no "human factor" which is specially separable
              from the delivery of computer-based information services.
              Much of the development and routine operations of
              computer-based technologies hinge on many human judgments
              and actions carried out within complex, organized social
              settings.

W3.    Control over Infrastructure:
       a.     Organizations have limited resources. Not all necessary
              infrastructural resources are available (in adequate
              quality) as needed.
       b.     Computer-using organizations rarely have complete
              administrative or political control over all their
              requisite infrastructure. Infrastructural resources may
              be spread across several organizational units or
              nominally independent organizations.

W4.    The information processing leverage provided by a focal
       computing resource, and its other costs and benefits, social
       and economic, are contingent upon:
       a.     its interactions with other computing resources;
       b.     the social or organizational arrangements within which
              computer-based services are developed and provided
              (infrastructure and macrostructures).

W5.    Social Action:
       Political interests, structural constraints, and participants
       definitions of their situations often influence organizational
       action.  Use naturalistic open systems organizational model,
       such as  a negotiated order or institutional model of social
       activities, to best describe the social relations among key
       participants.