Multiple Perspectives: Overcoming the Weaknesses of MS/OR

The paradigms of science deal with well-structured systems successfully. However, they are quite inadequate for complex sociotechnical systems. The multiple perspective concept, originally suggested by Allison, effectively bridges the gap between analysis and the real world of ill-structured systems. Three types of perspective are used: technical/analytical; organizational/societal; and personal/individual. Each provides important insights not obtainable with the others.