This research paper narrates the application of the soft systems methodology (SSM) as a problem structuring tool, as well as the first step of a methodological approach that will provide decision support based on multi-criteria decision analysis in the planning of energy for telecom networks across sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure applicability of the methodology to a real-world issue, an international telecom tower company based in East Africa was selected as the case study. The SSM is utilized to characterize the decision problem context precisely, identify major stakeholder groups and their connections, and to discover each one's interests. This helps to achieve appropriate and holistic energy planning and management unlike the current trends which employ a reductionist approach. The outcome of the work leads to a model using SSM where stakeholder inputs can be captured, for the telecom company.

中文翻译：

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撒哈拉以南非洲电信网络的能源规划：使用软系统方法的决策支持

本研究论文介绍了软系统方法论 (SSM) 作为问题构建工具的应用，以及方法论方法的第一步，该方法论方法将在电信网络能源规划中提供基于多标准决策分析的决策支持横跨撒哈拉以南非洲。为了确保该方法对现实问题的适用性，选择了一家位于东非的国际电信塔公司作为案例研究。SSM 用于精确描述决策问题背景，识别主要利益相关者群体及其联系，并发现每个人的利益。与当前采用简化方法的趋势不同，这有助于实现适当和全面的能源规划和管理。这项工作的成果是为电信公司建立了一个使用 SSM 的模型，可以在该模型中捕获利益相关者的意见。