Difference between revisions of "Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems"

Latest revision as of 22:23, 2 May 2024

Lead Author: Rick Adcock, Contributing Authors: Janet Singer, Duane Hybertson

This knowledge area is graciously sponsored by PPI.

This knowledge area (KA) provides a guide for applying the systems approachsystems approach as a means of identifying and understanding complex problems and opportunities, synthesizing possible alternatives, analyzing and selecting the best alternative, implementing and approving a solution, as well as deploying, using and sustaining engineered systemengineered system solutions. The active participation of stakeholders during all the activities of the systems approach is the key to the success of the systems approach.

In an engineered system context, a systems approach is a holistic approach that spans the entire life of the system; however, it is usually applied in the development and operational/support life cycle stages. This knowledge area defines a systems approach using a common language and intellectual foundation to ensure that practical systems concepts, principles, patterns and tools are accessible to perform systems engineeringsystems engineering (SE), as is discussed in the introduction to Part 2: Foundations of Systems Engineering.

Topics

Each part of the Guide to the SE Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) is divided into KAs, which are groupings of information with a related theme. The KAs, in turn, are divided into topics. This KA contains the following topics:

Systems Approach

This KA describes a high-level framework of activities and principles synthesized from the elements of the systems approach, as described earlier in Part 2 of the SEBoK, and is mapped to the articles Concepts of Systems Thinking, Principles of Systems Thinking, and Patterns of Systems Thinking. The concept map in Figure 1 describes how the knowledge is arranged in this KA and the linkage to the KA in Part 3.

Figure 1. Systems Engineering and the Systems Approach. (SEBoK Original)

According to Jackson et al. (2010, 41-43), the systems approach to engineered systems is a problem-solving paradigm. It is a comprehensive problem identification and resolution approach based upon the principles, concepts, and tools of systems thinkingsystems thinking and systems sciencesystems science, along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem-solving. It incorporates a holistic systems view that covers the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and the entire life cycle.

Successful systems practice should not only apply systems thinking to the system being created but should also utilize systems thinking in consideration of the way in which work is planned and conducted. See Part 5: Enabling Systems Engineering for further discussions on how individuals, teams, businesses and enterprises may be enabled to perform systems engineering.

References

Works Cited

Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "What is the Systems Approach?." INCOSE Insight, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 41-43.

Primary References

Checkland, P. 1999. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.

Hitchins, D. 2009. "What are the General Principles Applicable to Systems?" INCOSE Insight, vol. 12, no. 4.

Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "What is the Systems Approach?" INCOSE Insight, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 41-43.

Additional References

Hitchins, D. 2007. Systems Engineering: A 21st Century Systems Methodology. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons.

Lawson, H. 2010. A Journey Through the Systems Landscape. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.

Senge, P. M. 1990. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York, NY, USA: Doubleday/Currency.

< Previous Article | Parent Article | Next Article > SEBoK v. 2.10, released 06 May 2024

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-This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to a [[Systems Science (glossary)]] to complex Problems and Oppourtunities based on the application of [[Systems Thinking (glossary)]].  This knowledge is not specific to Systems Engineering, but is part of a wider systems body of knowledge.  We have not attempted to capture all of the system knowledge here, but to identify those aspects relevant to the systems engineering body of knowledge.
+----
+'''''Lead Author:''''' ''Rick Adcock'', '''''Contributing Authors:''''' ''Janet Singer, Duane Hybertson''
+----
+[[File:PPI.png|thumb|250px|right|<center>This knowledge area is graciously sponsored by PPI.<center>]]
+This knowledge area (KA) provides a guide for applying the {{Term|Systems Approach (glossary)|systems approach}} as a means of identifying and understanding complex problems and opportunities, synthesizing possible alternatives, analyzing and selecting the best alternative, implementing and approving a solution, as well as deploying, using and sustaining {{Term|Engineered System (glossary)|engineered system}} solutions. The active participation of stakeholders during all the activities of the systems approach is the key to the success of the systems approach.
-The framework of activities and prinicples described in the KA are mapped to the other sections of the SEBoK to provide a guide to the system foundations of [[Systems Engineering (glossary)]] practices.
+In an engineered system context, a systems approach is a holistic approach that spans the entire life of the system; however, it is usually applied in the development and operational/support life cycle stages. This knowledge area defines a systems approach using a common language and intellectual foundation to ensure that practical systems concepts, principles, patterns and tools are accessible to perform {{Term|Systems Engineering (glossary)|systems engineering}} (SE), as is discussed in the introduction to [[Foundations of Systems Engineering|Part 2: Foundations of Systems Engineering]].
 ==Topics==
+Each part of the Guide to the SE Body of Knowledge (SEBoK) is divided into KAs, which are groupings of information with a related theme. The KAs, in turn, are divided into topics. This KA contains the following topics:
-The topics contained within this knowledge area include:
 *[[Overview of the Systems Approach]]
 *[[Engineered System Context]]
@@ Line 13: / Line 16: @@
 *[[Implementing and Proving a Solution]]
 *[[Deploying, Using, and Sustaining Systems to Solve Problems]]
-*[[Acquirer/Supplier Responsibility]]
 *[[Applying the Systems Approach]]
-==What is a Systems Approach==
+==Systems Approach==
-The term Systems Approach defined by authors such as Churchman (Churchman 1979) is an aspect of [[What is Systems Thinking?|Systems Thinking]] through which we consider a System from the view point of those outside its boundary.  In particular that we can gain significant insight by understanding the "enemies" of viewing the system holistically.  While this is an important foundation for the system thinking which underpins the Systems Approach, this Knowledge Area uses the term to describe both systemic understanding and action as discussed below.
+This KA describes a high-level framework of activities and principles synthesized from the elements of the systems approach, as described earlier in Part 2 of the SEBoK, and is mapped to the articles [[Concepts of Systems Thinking]], [[Principles of Systems Thinking]], and [[Patterns of Systems Thinking]].  The concept map in Figure 1 describes how the knowledge is arranged in this KA and the linkage to the KA in Part 3.
-The [[Systems Approach (glossary)]] is defined as a set of principles for applying [[Systems Thinking (glossary)]] to [[Engineered System (glossary)]] contexts. According to Jackson et al (2010, pp. 41-43), the Systems Approach is a problem solving paradigm. It is a comprehensive problem understanding and resolution approach based upon the principles of systems thinking; and utilizing the concepts and thinking tools of [[Systems Science (glossary)]] along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem solving. It incorporates a [[Holistic (glossary)]] systems view of the system that includes the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and full life cycle. This Systems Approach forms the foundation for the descriptions and standards which define the practices of Systems Engineering. Systems engineering-related competency models generally agree that a fully capable systems engineer must employ Systems Thinking when undertaking these practices.
-According to Checkland (1999, 318), Systems Thinking is “''an epistemology which, when applied to human activity is based on basic ideas of systems''.”
-Senge (1990) provides an expanded definition as follows: “''Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing wholes. It is a framework for seeing interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static "snapshots." It is a set of general principles -- distilled over the course of the twentieth century, spanning fields as diverse as the physical and social sciences, engineering, and management. During the last thirty years, these tools have been applied to understand a wide range of corporate, urban, regional, economic, political, ecological, and even psychological systems. And systems thinking is a sensibility for the subtle interconnectedness that gives living systems their unique character''.”
-These sources and others discussed in the [[Systems Thinking]] knowledge area associate at least three different ideas to Systems Thinking. The first is a set of concepts to assist in learning how to think in terms of systems; the second is a set of principles to ensure a holistic approach to problems whatever there domain and the third is a set of tools to support the approach.  The Systems Approach utilises all three of these aspects of Systems Thinking.
-In the Introduction to this part of the SEBoK we make the following distinctions:
+[[File:Fig_1_Systems_Engineering_and_the_Systems_Approach_RA.png|thumb|650px|center|'''Figure 1. Systems Engineering and the Systems Approach.''' (SEBoK Original)]]
-*[[Systems Thinking (glossary)]] is a fundamental set of ideas which encapsulate a way of thinking about something as a set of related systems.
-*[[Systems Science (glossary)]]  is a collective term for a community of System Researchers who have applied Systems Thinking to aspects of real world problems and solutions.  The outputs of this work can be summaries by:
-**A System of [[Systems Concept (glossary)]], defining ideas which can be used to better understand the systemic nature of a situation or thing, independent of its application domain
-**A number of [[System Methodology|Systems Methodologies (glossary)]] , which organize these ideas into a problem exploration and/or solution creation approach.  These methodologies are often based upon a particular world view or paradigm, which influences the approach they take and the models they use.
-*[[Systems Approach (glossary)]] is a combination of the above into a generic problem resolution approach which spans the whole life of an [[Engineered System (glossary)]] context, as part of the exploration and resolution of one or more real world problem situations or opportunities.
-Note, the definitions above have been produced for the SEBoK to provide a framework of ideas to help understand the relationships between systems ideas and the practice of Systems Engineering.  While they are not inconsistent with the literature in outline some authors have used different combinations of terminology to express them.  It is our aim for the above ideas to help SEBoK readers to understand the literature and its relevance to them, without becoming too confused by slight differences, or even contradictions, in the detailed language used.
+According to Jackson et al. (2010, 41-43), the systems approach to engineered systems is a problem-solving paradigm. It is a comprehensive problem identification and resolution approach based upon the principles, concepts, and tools of {{Term|Systems Thinking (glossary)|systems thinking}} and {{Term|Systems Science (glossary)|systems science}}, along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem-solving. It incorporates a holistic systems view that covers the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and the entire life cycle.
-This Knowledge Area describes the Systems Approach in the context of applying Systems Thinking to an engineered system through its whole life.
+Successful systems practice should not only apply systems thinking to the system being created but should also utilize systems thinking in consideration of the way in which work is planned and conducted.  See [[Enabling Systems Engineering|Part 5: Enabling Systems Engineering]] for further discussions on how individuals, teams, businesses and enterprises may be enabled to perform systems engineering.
 ==References==
 ===Works Cited===
-Checkland, P. 1999. ''Systems Thinking, Systems Practice''. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
+Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "[[What is the Systems Approach?]]." INCOSE ''Insight,'' vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 41-43.
-Churchman, C. West. 1979. The Systems Approach and Its Enemies. New York: Basic Books.
-Hitchins, D. 2009. "[[What are the General Principles Applicable to Systems?]]". INCOSE ''Insight.'' 12(4).
-Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "What is the Systems Approach?". INCOSE ''Insight.'' 13(1): 41-43.
-Senge, P. M. 1990. ''The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization''. New York, Doubleday/Currency.
 ===Primary References===
 Checkland, P. 1999. ''[[Systems Thinking, Systems Practice]]''. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
-Hitchins, D. 2009. "[[What are the General Principles Applicable to Systems?]]". INCOSE ''Insight.'' 12(4).
+Hitchins, D. 2009. "What are the General Principles Applicable to Systems?" INCOSE ''Insight,'' vol.  12, no. 4.
+Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "[[What is the Systems Approach?]]" INCOSE ''Insight,'' vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 41-43.
-Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "[[What is the Systems Approach?]]". INCOSE ''Insight.'' 13(1): 41-43.
+===Additional References===
+Hitchins, D. 2007. ''Systems Engineering: A 21st Century Systems Methodology''. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
-Lawson, H. 2010. ''[[A Journey Through the Systems Landscape]]''. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.
+Lawson, H. 2010. ''A Journey Through the Systems Landscape''. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.
-Senge, P. M. 1990. ''[[The Fifth Discipline]]: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization''. New York, Doubleday/Currency.
+Senge, P. M. 1990. ''The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization''. New York, NY, USA: Doubleday/Currency.
-===Additional References===
-None.
 ----
-<center>[[Modeling Standards|<- Previous Article]] | [[Systems|Parent Article]] | [[Overview of the Systems Approach|Next Article ->]]</center>
+<center>[[Modeling Standards|< Previous Article]] | [[Foundations of Systems Engineering|Parent Article]] | [[Overview of the Systems Approach|Next Article >]]</center>
+<center>'''SEBoK v. 2.10, released 06 May 2024'''</center>
 [[Category:Part 2]][[Category:Knowledge Area]]
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