Question

1. Describe SAST approach and its methodology? Provide examples of its uses?

Answer 1

strategic assumptions surfacing and testing(SAST):

It is a method for I'll structure problems.it can be applied as a Dialectical approach to policy and planning.all I'll structured problems may alternatively be also labelled as a wicked problem.SAST may be applied as a teqnique of system thinking.

An ill- structured problem is "one for which various stratagies for possible a solution rest on assumltions That are in sharp conflict with one another".

The purposes for sast method are:

• To help surface for explicit examination on the underlying assumptions that analysts often unconsciously bring with them to a problem situation.
• To compare and to evaluate systematically The assumptions of different analysts .
• To examine the relation between Assumptions and the resulting polices which are derived and dependent .

To attempt the rumaniate new,novel and originally unforeseen Policies based on previously foreseen asassumptions.

Methodology of SAST:

This includes four stages:

1. Assumption specification
2. Dialectical phase.
3. Assumption integration phase.
4. Composite stratagy creation.

The method originated through the Collobration between Richard o.mason and lan mitroff,as an extension of philosophy on the design inquiring systems originated from c.west churchman.sast follows the prescriptions of the fialelectic inquiry,sweeping in multiple perceptive on to the full breadth of Underlying assumptions to collobrative problem solving the stratagic design.