The first step in Soft Systems Methodology ( SSM ) is to formulate the Root Definition of the

System you are studying, analysing or designing.

A Root Definition is a structured description of a system. It is a clear statement of activities hich
ta!e place (or might ta!e place) in the organisation "eing studied.
A properly structured root definition comprises three elements #hat, ho, hy$ and is of the
form% A System to do &, "y (means of) ', in order to achieve (.
& ) *hat the System does
' ) +o it does it
( ) *hy it is "eing done
The ,hat, is the immediate aim of the system,
The ,ho, is the means of achieving that aim,
The ,hy, is the longer term aim of the purposeful activity.
-AT*./ analysis helps in proper formulation of a Root Definition. -AT*./ is a mnemonic
hich helps identify and categori0e all sta!eholders #people, processes, environment, entities$ of
the System "eing analysed for formulating the Root Definition.
CATWOE MODEL
- 1 -2ST.M/RS .R -3I/4TS
A 1 A-T.RS .R A5/4TS
T 1 TRA4S6.RMATI.4 7R.-/SS
* 1*/3TA4S-+A2245 or *.R3D 8I/*
. 1 .*4/RS
/ 1 /48IR.4M/4T
To ela"orate a "it%
-% The 9customers of the system: , clients or System ;eneficiaries. In this conte<t 9customers:
means those ho are on the receiving end of hatever it is that the system does. Is it clear from
your definition of =-> as to ho are the "eneficiaries of the system?
A% The 9actors:, meaning those ho ould actually carry out the activities envisaged in the
notional system "eing defined. Actors transform inputs into outputs.
T% The 9transformation process:. *hat does the system do to the inputs to convert them into the
outputs?
*% *eltanschauung @ The 9orld vie: that lies "ehind the Root DefinitionA the perspective from
hich the Root Definition if formulated. 7utting the system into its ider conte<t can highlight
the conseBuences of the overall system. 6or e<ample the system may "e in place to assist in
ma!ing the orld environmentally safer, and the conseBuences of system failure could "e
significant pollution.
.% The 9oner(s): ) The person(s) ho has commissioned the system and ho has sufficient
formal poer over the system to stop it e<isting if they so ished (though they on:t usually ant
to do this).
/% The 9environmental constraints:. These include things such as ethical limits, regulations,
financial constraints, resource limitations, limits set "y terms of reference, and so on.