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

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This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to an approach to complex problems and opportunities based on [[Systems Science (glossary)]] and 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.
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'''''Lead Author:''''' ''Rick Adcock'', '''''Contributing Authors:''''' ''Janet Singer, Duane Hybertson''
The framework of activities and principles 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.
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[[File:PPI.png|thumb|250px|right|<center>This knowledge area is graciously sponsored by PPI.<center>]]
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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.  
  
To download a PDF of all of Part 2 (including this knowledge area), please [http://www.sebokwiki.org/075/images/7/7e/SEBoK075_Part2.pdf click here].
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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==
 
==Topics==
 
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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:
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*[[Overview of the Systems Approach]]
 
*[[Engineered System Context]]
 
*[[Engineered System Context]]
 
*[[Identifying and Understanding Problems and Opportunities]]
 
*[[Identifying and Understanding Problems and Opportunities]]
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*[[Implementing and Proving a Solution]]
 
*[[Implementing and Proving a Solution]]
 
*[[Deploying, Using, and Sustaining Systems to Solve Problems]]
 
*[[Deploying, Using, and Sustaining Systems to Solve Problems]]
*[[Stakeholder Responsibility]]
 
 
*[[Applying the Systems Approach]]
 
*[[Applying the Systems Approach]]
  
 
==Systems Approach==
 
==Systems Approach==
As discussed in [[Systems Approaches]] the term is used by a number of Systems Science authors to describe the application of systems thinking to problems and in particular the idea of considering issues outside of the boundary of the immediate system of interest, (Churchman 1979).  This idea and the system methodologies developed from it, are essential parts of the Systems Approach to Engineered Systems described in this KA..
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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.  
 
 
According to Jackson et al (2010, pp. 41-43), the Systems Approach to Engineered Systems 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 along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem solving. It incorporates a Holistic systems view of the system that includes the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and full life cycle.
 
 
 
The Systems Approach to engineered systems is defined as a set of principles for applying Systems Thinking to Engineered System contexts and 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.
 
 
 
==Purpose and benefits of a systems approach for Engineered Systems==
 
 
 
There is a wide stakeholder desire to achieve the benefits that Systems Engineering claims to deliver, in contexts where current SE approaches are inadequate or irrelevant – hence the need for a better articulation of “the Systems Approach” and how to apply it to non-traditional problems.  
 
 
 
The purpose of taking a systems approach is, by considering “whole system, whole lifecycle, whole stakeholder community”, to ensure that the purpose of the system (or systemic intervention) is achieved sustainably without causing negative unintended consequences, and to avoid “transferring the burden” to some other part of the environment unable to sustain the burden.
 
  
Many authors (e.g. (Blockley and Godfrey, 2000); (Hitchins, 2007), (Jackson, 2010), current work in various defence organisations on “comprehensive approach” and “capability engineering”) demonstrate and/or assert that a systems approach must be purpose driven if it is to deliver the intended benefits.
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[[File:Fig_1_Systems_Engineering_and_the_Systems_Approach_RA.png|thumb|650px|center|'''Figure 1. Systems Engineering and the Systems Approach.''' (SEBoK Original)]]
  
A good example of the success of such a purpose-driven approach is the British air defence system set up in the 1930s (Hitchins, 2007, pp 231-244). The particular demonstration of a “whole systems” approach that is often cited is the relative crudeness of the British radars, far less sophisticated than their contemporary German equivalents, but much more effective operationally, because what was optimised was not the radars per se as a technical product, but their integration into an overall network designed from the top as an information-centric battle management system.
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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.  
In the Introduction to SEBoK Part 2 we make the following distinctions:
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*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 an interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of complex systems in nature, society, and science. It aims to develop interdisciplinary foundations, which are applicable in a variety of areas, such as engineering, biology, medicine and social sciences.  
 
*Systems Approach (glossary) is a combination of the above into a generic problem resolution approach, as part of the exploration and resolution of one or more real world problem situations or opportunities.
 
  
In an engineered system context, a “systems approach” is a holistic approach which spans the whole life of an Engineered System (glossary) in its operational context.
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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.
This Knowledge Area describes the Systems Approach in the context of applying Systems Thinking to an engineered system through its whole life.
 
  
 
==References==  
 
==References==  
  
 
===Works Cited===
 
===Works Cited===
Checkland, P. 1999. ''Systems Thinking, Systems Practice''. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
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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===
 
===Primary References===
 
Checkland, P. 1999. ''[[Systems Thinking, Systems Practice]]''. New York, NY, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
 
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).
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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.'' 13(1): 41-43.
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Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "[[What is the Systems Approach?]]" INCOSE ''Insight,'' vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 41-43.
  
Lawson, H. 2010. ''[[A Journey Through the Systems Landscape]]''. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.
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===Additional References===
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Hitchins, D. 2007. ''Systems Engineering: A 21st Century Systems Methodology''. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons.
  
Senge, P. M. 1990. ''[[The Fifth Discipline]]: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization''. New York, Doubleday/Currency.
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Lawson, H. 2010. ''A Journey Through the Systems Landscape''. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.
  
===Additional References===
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Senge, P. M. 1990. ''The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization''. New York, NY, USA: Doubleday/Currency.
No additional reference have been identified for SEBoK 0.75. Please provide any recommendations on additional reference in your review.
 
  
 
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<center>[[Modeling Standards|< Previous Article]] | [[Systems|Parent Article]] | [[Engineered System Context|Next Article >]]</center>
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<center>[[Modeling Standards|< Previous Article]] | [[Foundations of Systems Engineering|Parent Article]] | [[Overview of the Systems Approach|Next Article >]]</center>
  
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<center>'''SEBoK v. 2.10, released 06 May 2024'''</center>
  
 
[[Category:Part 2]][[Category:Knowledge Area]]
 
[[Category:Part 2]][[Category:Knowledge Area]]
{{DISQUS}}
 

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.


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