Comparison

All the hard work involved in choosing, naming and modelling human activity systems is just the foundation for the most important part of the methodology — the comparison. The modelling process has produced an ideal concept of the activities involved in carrying out some organized action which is thought to be relevant to the problem situation. The model provides a framework for taking a detailed look at the situation and for asking to what extent there are similarities and differences between the model and the situation. Assessing and evaluating these similarities and differences may suggest potential areas for change in the situation. On the other hand a comparison might suggest that a different perspective on the situation is required and hence point towards directions in which new relevant systems should be sought before starting the modelling cycle once again.