Making Sense of Rich Pictures: Combining SSM and Oval Mapping

Abstract

This paper describes the use of Oval Mapping Technique (OMY) to combine the insights gained from multiple research sites by a team of researchers drawn from three universities and represented through Soft Systems Methodology rich pictures. The research team were confronted with the problem of how to develop a shared and comprehensive view of the research arena, which was how to gain and apply knowledge about sustainable construction methods. Through the use of OMT the team assembled clusters of related concepts which formed the basis of CATWOEs and root definitions. Further, they overcame their problems that arose from the absence of a problem owner who could verify and legitimate their reading of world.