🚀 go-pugleaf

Excerpts from netnews.comp.infosystems: 17-Aug-92 Re: Clarification re.
Behin.. roy schmidt@copper.ucs.i (2063)
> When a framework is built, the usual objective is to give
> researchers and practitioners a tool whereby the separable elements can
> be identified and then systematically isolated for study.

The notion of systematic isolation is not integral to a framework.  A
framework can simply identify relevant characteristics and relationships
and can provide a particular perspective in understanding a problem. 
Interdependence (isolatability) may or may not be part of the framework.

> But a point made repeatedly in Rob's paper is that these elements are
> *not* separable, and cannot be broken down into subsystems, etc., for
> study.  The analyst must learn to cope with real life, where all the
> dynamic factors are constantly interacting and creating new situations.

A "holistic" view is fine conceptually, but implementing a holistic
approach requires some kind of structure (amorphous though it may seem).
I was not implying that it be "tacked on" to the discrete entity model. 
What I was suggesting was that it would be valuable to describe a more
rigorous approach to operationalizing the interpersonal environmental
effects associated with the existing system... and potential
implications for the design of the new system.

For example:
Excerpts: 14-Aug-92 Article -- Behind the Termi.. Rob Kling@ics.uci.edu (38592)
>      We propose three criteria for drawing the boundaries of
> larger scale situations Sc which serve as useful contexts for a
given focal situation Sf (Kling, 1987).

Here he attempts to provide an operationalization for characterizing
boundaries.

Throughout he makes reference to various approaches, theories and models
which can be used to instantiate his notions of interdependencies or
considerations.  I admit that I have not read his other papers which he
cites.  Presumably those provide more detailed descriptions.  My point
was that providing a more rigorous approach which operationalized the
interpersonal environment would be a major contribution.  His empirical
examples seem to indicate that is achievable in his specific study.  But
as Rob himself notes:

Excerpts: 14-Aug-92 Article -- Behind the Termi.. Rob Kling@ics.uci.edu (17947)
> I would
> like to conclude with a neat method so that any analyst could
> readily identify the infrastructural resources which are critical
> for a computer system and workable for her organization. This
> method would provide a satisfying conclusion to a long chapter.
> Unfortunately, I do not have a such a method. Nor is the search
> for a simple method a good way to learn from this chapter. The
> case of the DCRP and the subsequent discussion illustrates many
> key ideas about the way that computing infrastructures are
> tailored for specific systems and social settings.