Metodologia de sistemas flexíveis aplicada a estudos em cência da informação : uma experiência pedagógica

Abstract

Este trabalho descreve a aplicação da Metodologia de Sistemas Flexíveis – Soft Systems Methodology a um programa de mudança organizacional no Departamento de Ciência da Informação da Universidade de Brasília. A metodologia em questão foi desenvolvida por Peter Checkland, como alternativa às metodologias de sistemas rígidos, como a pesquisa operacional. Tem sido aplicada nas mais diversificadas situações, entre outras, para projetos relacionados com situações-problema que ocorrem em organizações. Mais recentemente, aplicou-se com freqüência em pesquisas acadêmicas na área de Ciência da Informação, especialmente na Inglaterra, e agora, no Brasil, onde o Soft Systems Methodology foi introduzido como disciplina específica do programa de pós-graduação do Departamento de Ciência da Informação da Universidade de Brasília e da orientação de teses e dissertações. Este trabalho discute a Soft Systems Methodology e seus fundamentos, assim como a experiência de seu ensino na pós-graduação e sua aplicação em problemas da Ciência da Informação. A Soft Systems Methodology consiste de sete estágios. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the Soft Systems Methodology and its fundamentals, as well as the application of the Soft Systems Methodology in a graduate program on organizational change in the Information Science Department at the University of Brasília. The Soft Systems Methodology was developed by Peter Checkland as an alternative to hard systems methodologies, such as operational research. The methodology consists of seven stages and uses specific tools; it’s based on a systemic approach, on phenomenology, and hands-on research. It has been applied to the most diverse situations, including problem-situations in organizations. Soft Systems Methodology has also been applied in Information Science’ academic research, particularly in England, and now, in Brazil, at University of Brasília, where it was established as a discipline in the Information Science Department’s graduate program. To establish such discipline, the first step taken was the bibliographic survey on Soft Systems Methodology, followed by the syllabus development and course organization (taking into account the graduate students, but also including the undergraduate, the ones on PIBIC scholarships). The experience included careful observation of the students’ perceptions and reactions to the subject during the given academic term, as well as observation of the Soft Systems Methodology application to real Problem-situations. Besides, effective action was taken to improve graduate and undergraduate students’ interaction – resulting in a more effective interaction in the dept. as a whole. Applied to the Information Science academic studies, Soft Systems Methodology contributed to that field of knowledge and to its interdisciplinary connections as well, be it for the methodology’s theoretical content itself, be it for the students’ variety of educational and professional profiles (Engineering, Computer and Information Sciences, Administration). Such students’ diversity allowed for a variety of real situations, on which to apply the Soft Systems Methodology. The methodology raised interest and motivation among students, and proved to be a viable and effective alternative, contributing consistently to the improvement of Information Science knowledge.