IS 460 Notes

1. IS 460 Notes Fundamentals of General Systems Theory by Thomas Hilton

2. Why Study Systems • Understanding • Influence

3. What is a System? • Definition: A system is a set of interacting components that operate within a boundary to achieve some purpose. • Postulate: Everything is a system.

4. Parts of a System • Output • Input • Processes • Boundary • Environment Output Process C Output Process D Process B Input Process A Input Process E

5. Two Types Of Output • Intended (purpose of the system) • Unintended (byproducts) • Control Issues? (Ashby’s Law) Output Output

6. Two Types of Input • Main (transformed) • Maintenance (consumed) Input Input

7. Three Types Of Processes • Transformation • Interface • Input • Output • Control • Output Sensor • Feedback Loop • Input Regulator Process C Process B Process D Process A Process E

8. Boundary • The boundary is where the system ends and the environment begins. • Boundary identification is critical to your professional survival • Boundary Identification is often complicated by its intangible nature.

9. Environment • The Environment is everything outside the system. • The environment is infinite, so we commonly discuss only the “relevant” environment. • The relevant environment is objects that affect the behavior of the system but are beyond its control.

10. RelationshipsBetween Systems • Hierarchical • System • Super-system • Subsystem • Linear • All input comes from some system • All output goes to some system • “Closed” systems don’t exist.

11. Question… • Is everything we know about a system?

12. Understanding Systems • Identify the parts and their relationships. • Use the black box concept to concentrate on inputs and outputs. • Use the closed system concept to concentrate on processes (remember closed systems don't really exist).

13. The Role of Observer Perspective • System definition depends on perspective. • System behavior is affected by observation. • System existence can depend on observation.