Using Deep Structure Theory to Visualize Inherent Limitations of Systems Analysis Tools in Relation to Habermassian Communicative Action

Problems related to dysfunctional communication and collaboration between business and IT professionals have been discussed for decades. This distortion in communication can partially be explained by the Critical Social Theory and Jurgen Habermas' notions of communicative action and Univeral Pragmatics, which differentiate between ideal communication and types of distorted communication. The present research sees that success in this performative linguistic process of ISD calls for shared understanding and communication between participants to the process, leading to agreement on the meaning of the requirement and its concomitant elements and desired outcomes. This paper shows how the Work Systems method (Alter) can be used to reduce communicative distortion from the requirement gathering process by creating something more akin to Habermassian communicative action.