Difference between revisions of "Foundations of Systems Engineering"
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#The [[Systems Approach]] Knowledge Area defines a structured problem or oppourtunity discovery, exploration and resolution approach that can be applied to all [[Engineered System (glossary)|Engineered Systems (glossary)]], which is based on systems thinking. Our intention is that this KA will provide principles that can map directly to Systems Engineering practice. | #The [[Systems Approach]] Knowledge Area defines a structured problem or oppourtunity discovery, exploration and resolution approach that can be applied to all [[Engineered System (glossary)|Engineered Systems (glossary)]], which is based on systems thinking. Our intention is that this KA will provide principles that can map directly to Systems Engineering practice. | ||
− | This definition of a Systems Approach as a framework for problem resolution, which encompasses a through life view of problem and solution, is not directly related to the Systems Approach discussed by authors such as Churchman (see [[What is Systems Thinking?]] for more details). While these | + | This definition of a Systems Approach as a framework for problem resolution, which encompasses a through life view of problem and solution, is not directly related to the Systems Approach discussed by authors such as Churchman (see [[What is Systems Thinking?]] for more details). While these Systems Thinking ideas from part of the underlying thinking behind the approach, the Systems Approach Knowledge Area expands upon them to discuss how the thinking can be applied to an [[Engineered System (glossary]] context to not only understand systemic issues but also create integrated system solutions if needed. |
It should be noted that while the knowledge presented in this part of the SEBoK has been organised into these four areas for ease of understanding the intention is to present a rounded picture of research and practice based on system knowledge. These four knowledge areas are tighly coupled and should be seen together as a System of Ideas for connecting understanding, research and practice based on system knowledge which applies to all types of domains and underpins a wide range of scientific, management and engineering disciplines. | It should be noted that while the knowledge presented in this part of the SEBoK has been organised into these four areas for ease of understanding the intention is to present a rounded picture of research and practice based on system knowledge. These four knowledge areas are tighly coupled and should be seen together as a System of Ideas for connecting understanding, research and practice based on system knowledge which applies to all types of domains and underpins a wide range of scientific, management and engineering disciplines. |
Revision as of 12:04, 28 February 2012
Part 2 is a guide to knowledge associated with systems , particularly knowledge relevant to systems engineering . Part 2 elaborates on the underlying systems ideas upon which the following parts of the SEBoK are based, thus providing a foundation for the remainder of the SEBoK. Part 2 also defines the key principles of a Systems Approach, which will be referred to directly in explaining the practices of systems engineering.
Knowledge Areas in Part 2: Systems
Part 2: Systems contains the following knowledge areas:
- Systems Thinking
- System Science
- Representing Systems with Models
- Systems Approach
- Systems Challenges
Scope of Part 2
Part 2 of the SEBoK contains a guide to knowledge about system, which is relevant to a full understanding of Systems Engineering. As such it deals with both abstract concepts about systems and practical principles which guide the use of these concepts to underpin the understanding, creation, management and use of (socio-technical) engineered systems .
- Concepts are sub divisions of knowledge that describe a single idea or property of things.
- Principles are statements which guide the way we might think or act in a given situation, as a consequence of one or more concepts.
For example, the concept of Openness states that some systems must exchange energy, information or material with their environment to exist and function. Principles based on this concept include that an open system can only be fully understood in its environment, or that changes to the environment may change how a system behaves.
The following diagram summarises the way in which the knowledge in SEBoK Part 2 is organised.
The aim of this model is to provide a guide to the major aspects of systems knowledge in such a way that it can be useful to Systems Engineering in 2 ways:
- To define an underlying theory for Systems Engineering standards and descriptions.
- To describe a fundamental way of thinking about complex situations as systems, which should guide the way in which people apply System Engineering practices to best effect.
Each part of this diagram is explained in more detail below. The model is divided into four sections, describing how we have treated system knowledge in the SEBoK.
- The System Science Knowledge Area provides an overview of the most influential movements in Systems Science. This section explores the chronological development of systems knowledge and discusses some of the different approaches taken in applying it to real problems. This is useful background knowledge of general interest to Systems Engineers, in particular those involved in development of Systems Engineering standards and descriptions.
- The Systems Thinking Knowledge Area describes key concepts shared across systems research and practice and organised them as a system of related ideas. Understanding of this way of thinking should be a key competence for anyone undertaking systems research or practising Systems Engineering.
- The Representing Systems with Models Knowledge Area considers the key role that abstract models play in both the development of system theories and the application of system thinking.
- The Systems Approach Knowledge Area defines a structured problem or oppourtunity discovery, exploration and resolution approach that can be applied to all engineered systems , which is based on systems thinking. Our intention is that this KA will provide principles that can map directly to Systems Engineering practice.
This definition of a Systems Approach as a framework for problem resolution, which encompasses a through life view of problem and solution, is not directly related to the Systems Approach discussed by authors such as Churchman (see What is Systems Thinking? for more details). While these Systems Thinking ideas from part of the underlying thinking behind the approach, the Systems Approach Knowledge Area expands upon them to discuss how the thinking can be applied to an Engineered System (glossary context to not only understand systemic issues but also create integrated system solutions if needed.
It should be noted that while the knowledge presented in this part of the SEBoK has been organised into these four areas for ease of understanding the intention is to present a rounded picture of research and practice based on system knowledge. These four knowledge areas are tighly coupled and should be seen together as a System of Ideas for connecting understanding, research and practice based on system knowledge which applies to all types of domains and underpins a wide range of scientific, management and engineering disciplines.
Systems Thinking
The origins of Systems Thinking come from attempts to better understand complex situations in biology, organisation, control, etc. From this comes a set of fundamental concepts defining the idea of an Open System and associated principles such as Holism, Emergence, etc. which become the foundations of System Thinking.
Over time Systems Thinking has been extended and refined by the creation of a set of abstract System Models and a System of Systems-Concepts, which apply to all systems independent of domain.
System Science is a community of research and practice which is based Systems Thinking; and which adds to and evolves the System Thinking Body of Knowledge.
Systems Thinking stands alone as a way of thinking which “Systems People” can use to gain a fuller understanding of any situation and through this guide a wide range of human activity.
Checkland (Checkand 1999) discusses the use of Systems Thinking to both understand and intervene in a Problem Situation. Lawson (Lawson 2010) defines three related contexts in which System Thinking can be used:
- To better understand a current real world situation by defining an abstract Situation System.
- To describe the Respondent system we might use to Understand, Use, Manage, Sustain or Change the Situation System.
- One or move System Assets which need to be acquired, modified or created to achieve the purpose of the Respondent System.
Systems Science
Systems Science is a collective name for a community of system researchers who perform research based on Systems Thinking.
Many Systems Science practitioners also develop System Methodologies that provide a framework of concepts and principles for tackling specific aspects of system problems.
These Methodologies are grouped around a set of paradigms which define particular world views or ways of thinking about systems, e.g. hard systems, soft systems, system dynamics, etc.
Another output of System Science is the emergence of a Theory of Problem Solving (also referred to as a theory of Engineering, Design, Intervention, etc.). Some of this theory is published, and some is embedded in the methodologies.
The work of Systems Science expands our shared understanding of Systems and is fed back to evolve the body of knowledge of Systems Thinking both in expanding the System-concepts and in creating new models or modelling notations.
The conduct of Systems Science should be conducted by researchers whom are themselves competent in systems thinking. As discussed above this will include understanding of situation system under study; creation of a research resolution system and the understanding of any research system assets needed.
Systems Approach
Systems Eningineering Lifecycle and Process definitions, standards and guides are underpinned by aspects of Systems Science and make use of System Methodologies, but this is often not done in a rigorous or consistent way. Those conducting SE are often simply following process definitions and are not aware of the fundamentals and relevance of Systems Thinking.
We defined a Systems Approach, synthesising elements of Systems Science to create: • A Framework of Activities that can be applied to complex situations requiring Engineered System based solutions. • System Principles within each activity that relate back to the Systems Thinking models and concepts.
The Activities and Principles of the Systems Approach can be mapped onto the Processes of Systems Engineering to increase the System Science foundations of Systems Engineering .
This mapping will provide guidance on which system-concepts should be considered when applying a process and which system models can be used to support process activities.
The conduct of Systems Engineering should be by practitioners who are themselves competent in systems thinking. As discussed above this will include understanding of problem or opportunity situation system; creation of a respondent system and the understanding of life cycle management any system products or services assets.
Note, see the discussion above about the relationship between this description of a Systems Approach and that more widely used in Systems Science.
References
Works Cited
None.
Primary References
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Additional References
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