The ‘Soft Information Systems and Technologies Methodology’ (SISTeM): An actor network contingency approach to integrated development

This paper describes the Soft Information Systems and Technologies Methodology (SISTeM), and demonstrates its utility in integrating informational and organisational development. The methodology and its stages are illustrated with examples from recent information systems and technology (IS&T) based projects, mainly in the health sector. Its antecedents in soft systems methodology are identified. The use of the approaches underpinning concept of the human/machine activity system is described. The nature of SISTeM as a social, political and technological form of contingency methodology, working with other approaches and disciplines, is demonstrated. SISTeM, it will be argued, has capacity for orchestrating the emergence, consolidation and continual development of real world actor networks.