Chapter 1. System Definitions & Concepts

1. Chapter 1. System Definitions & Concepts • A system is an assemblage or combination of elements or parts forming a complex or whole system (such as transpiration system, airline system). • Not every set of items, facts, methods or produces a system

2. System Definitions & Concepts • The elements of a system. System are comprises of a components, attributes and relationship • Components are the operable parts of a system consists input process, output, memory etc. • Attributes are the properties and characterize the system • Relationship are link between components and attributes • A system is a set of inter-related components working together towards some common objective

3. System Definitions & Concepts • A purposeful action performed by a system is its function • A common system function is that of altering material, energy or information • Structural components are the static parts • Operating components are the parts that perform the processing • Flow components are the material, energy or information being altered

4. System Definitions & Concepts • System and Subsystem • System is incomplete without consideration for its position in the hierarchy of system • Every system is made up components (bike, automobile, sales system) and are broken into smaller parts • An example of a total student registration and record system (building, students, HW, SW, personnel, budget etc.) • Purpose for a given system to improve the overall performance of the business/mission

5. System Definitions & Concepts • Classification of Systems • Natural and Human Made Systems (Dams, social environment, EPA) • Physical and Conceptual System (Mathematical, abstraction, mental state) • Static System • Is one having structure without activity (bridge) • Dynamic System • combine structural component with activity (school, building, students etc)

6. System Definitions & Concepts • Classification of Systems • Closed Systems • It does not interact significantly with its environments • Involves determinist interactions with one to one correspondence between initial and final states (chemical equilibrium etc.) • Open Systems • Allows information, energy and matter cross its boundaries • Interact with their environments (plants, business organizations etc)

7. System Definitions & Concepts • Cybernetics • Used in 1947 by Norbert Wiener • Comes form Greek word meaning “Steersman” • Cybernetics deals with self regulation (mechanical, electrical or biological) • Practical applications of cybernetics has been tremendous development of automatic equipment and process most controlled by computers • Cybernetics is new science of purposeful and optimal control applicable to complex processes in nature, society and business organizations

8. System Definitions & Concepts • General systems Theory • Concerned with developing a systematic framework for developing general relationship in natural and human made world • static structure or framework (geography, universe) • simple dynamic system of clockworks (science) • level of thermostat (transmission and interpretation of the information) • level of the cell (open system) • level of the plant (botany) • level of the animal (mobility, behavior etc) • level of the human (self consciousness, symbols) • level of social organizations (value system, art, etc) • level of the unkowables ( no answer yet)

9. System Definitions & Concepts • Transition of the System Age • The machine age • The system age • Technology and Technical Systems • Technology and Society • Technical System • Engineering and System Age • System Complexity and Scope • Technological growth and Change