This article produced descriptive narrative outcomes and data visualizations including information about top soft system methodology (SSM) authors, author citation impacts, common dissemination outlets for SSM work, and other relevant metrics commonly used to measure academic impact. The goal of this piece is to depict who, what, why, when, and where SSM had the greatest impact on research, systems thinking, and methodology after nearly 40 years of use, as we look towards its future as a methodological approach used to comprehend complex problem situations.

Houjahen Haokip recites the ritual called Aneovei used to heal childhood sickness. He is a Thadou speaker from Manipur (currently living in Lambung village), around 80 years old at the time of recording. He was thought to be the only living Thadou priest in Lambung village at the time.