Table 1.

The seven stages of SSM [17]: Identifying the problematic situation.

1. Identifying the problematic situation

2. Researching the situation and building a “rich picture”

3. Building “root definitions” using CATWOE

4. Developing a conceptual model of the change system

5. Comparing the model with the real-world situation

6. Defining the changes to be implemented

7. Taking action*

*The last phase is beyond the scope of this current investigation.