Putting Soft OR Methods to Work: Information Systems Strategy Development at Richards Bay
描述了南非一家矿产加工厂如何运用软运筹学和系统思维，通过参与式方法制定信息系统战略，并探讨了该方法在国际公司中推广的可行性。
The development of an information systems (IS) strategy for a mineral extraction and processing plant operated by Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) in South Africa is described. The participative approach used was developed from soft OR and systems thinking. The aim of the Richards Bay project was to test commercially whether the Participative Information Management Strategy (PIMS) methodology could be used as a standard method to be applied to the development of an information systems strategy at any mine site. The paper describes the implementation of the process and the problems encountered. More generally it discusses the diffusion of new ideas in an international company, illustrated by the use of the participative approach for other activities including systems development. Conclusions are drawn about the value of participative approaches based on soft OR in this context.