"Flexible" systems are endowed with behavioral characteristics, are living, and undergo change when faced with their environment. "Flexible" systems would typically be in the domain of the life sciences and the behavioral and social sciences.
To "flexible" systems, the methodology of the systems paradigm can be applied. Instead of relying exclusively on analysis and deduction, we need to synthesize and be inductive. Instead of relying strictly on formal methods of thinking, we must consider the following:
- Informal reasoning processes, such as judgment and intuition The weight of verified data, derived from a few observations and little opportunity for replication Predictions based on weak verified data rather than explanations Greater discontinuity of domain and the importance of the single event
The soft systems are identified as those in which the social part is given greater importance. The social component of these systems is considered the primary. The behavior of the individual or the social group is taken as a teleological system, with ends, with will, a full system of purposes, capable of displaying multiple behaviors, attitudes and aptitudes.
Behavior must not only be described but must be explained in order to know it and give it its own dimension. A soft system is a system with purposes, which is not only capable of choosing means to achieve certain ends, but is also capable of selecting and changing its ends. In these systems the clear and precise determination of the ends is difficult in contrast to the hard systems. Problems in soft systems have no easily identifiable structure
Soft systems are also, from the point of view of the General Systems Theory, systems and it is precisely this circumstance that gives rise to situations common to both types of systems; the soft and the hard.
The general theory of systems through its approach, the systems approach, has concepts and ideas that serve to treat both types of systems.
Some of them can be found in the literature such as: Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, Systems Design, Information Systems, etc.
Here it is clear that the emphasis is made on the approach »or» Philosophy »of systems and not so much on the techniques and / or Methodologies because there are Methodologies for hard systems and for soft systems.
The latter is precisely a difference that arose from the unsatisfactory results obtained when extrapolating Methodologies from hard systems to soft systems.
In Systems Theory, a system is defined as a set of interrelated elements that seek to achieve a goal. Using this definition, we will observe that both hard and soft systems are conceptualized in the same way. In "Pure Essence", the Analysis, Design and Implementation and / or Systems paradigms are extremely similar, however, care must be taken not to use Systems Methodologies of a given type.
When we talk about Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences we are necessarily talking about man and his organizations and thus we see that this is a characteristic that is found in almost every type of soft system: Man is a component of the system and the way in which it is organizes (Interrelates) with the elements (Man. Machines, etc.) They acquire great importance
