In this exercise, you will specify the problem using socio-technical analysis. The STS section of the Biomatrix Case narrative (found at Computing Cases) provides a good starting point. In the first table, enter the information from the Biomatrix case materials pertinent to the general components of a STS, its hardware, software, physical surroundings, people/groups/roles, procedures, laws, data. Some examples taken from the STS description at Computing Cases are provided to get you started. Then, using the second table, identify the values that are embedded in the different components of the STS. For example, PICS (platforms for internet content selection) embody the values of security and privacy. Finally, using the data from your socio-technical analysis, formulate a concise problem statement.
Exercise 1a:
Read the socio-technical system analysis of the Biomatrix case here. Fill in the table below with elements from this analysis that pertain to your decision point.
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Hard- |
Soft- |
Physical Surround- |
People/ Groups |
Proce- |
Laws, Codes, Regulat- |
Data and Data Structures |
|
Plant manufact- |
Yahoo soft- |
cyber vs real space |
Bioma- |
Getting a Yahoo account |
John Doe Lawsuits |
OSP user inform- |
Instructions for Table 5.2:
- Go to this site and review the STS description provided for the Biomatrix case.
- Pull out the elements of the STS description that are relevant to your decision point. List them under the appropriate STS component in the above table.
- Think about possible ways in which these components of the Biomatrix STS interact. For example, what kinds of legal restrictions govern the way data is collected, stored, and disseminated?
- Develop your STS table with an eye to documenting possible ethical conflicts that can arise and are relevant to your decision point.
Exercise 1b
Examine the values embedded in the STS surrounding this decision point. Locate your values under the appropriate component in the Biomatrix STS. For example, according to the STS description for Biomatrix found at Computing Cases, the Yahoo software that structures the architecture of the bulletin boards embody certain values like free speech. Should this be changed given the threat of defamation? What are Yahoo responsibilities in the context of defamation?
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Hard- |
Soft- |
Physical Surround- ings |
People/ Groups |
Proce- |
Laws, Codes, Regulat- |
Data and Data Struct- |
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Security |
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Privacy |
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Property |
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| Justice (Equity/ Access) | ||||||
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Free Speecy |
Instructions for Table 5.3:
- This module links to another Connexions module, Socio-Technical Systems in Professional Decision-Making. There you will find short profiles of the values listed in the above table: security, privacy, property, justice, and free speech. These profiles will help you to characterize the values listed in the above table.
- Look for value conflicts or mismatches. For example, free speech in the Yahoo discussion space could conflict with laws that protect against defamation. How are these laws transferred online?
- Identify those components of the Biomatrix STS that embody or embed value. For example, list the values realized and frustrated by the software components discussed in the Biomatrix case in the STS description.
- Look for ways in which different elements of the STS that embed value can interact and produce value conflicts. These conflicts are likely sources for problems that you should discuss in your problem statement and address in your solution.
Exercise 1c:
Write out the requirements (ethical and practical) for a good solution. Identify the parts of the STS that need changing. Then, develop a concise summary statement of the central problem your decision point raises. As you design solutions to this problem, you may want to revise this problem statement. Be sure to experiment with different ways of framing this problem.
Harris, Pritchard, and Rabins provide a useful approach to problem specification. See references below.
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