Purposeful (glossary)

From SEBoK
Revision as of 08:00, 19 May 2021 by Bkcase (talk | contribs) (Text replacement - "<center>'''SEBoK v. 2.3, released 30 October 2020'''</center>" to "<center>'''SEBoK v. 2.4, released 19 May 2021'''</center>")

Jump to navigation Jump to search

A purposeful system is free to determine its own goals needed to achieve an outcome. (Ackoff 1971)

Sources

Ackoff, R.L. 1971. "Towards a System of Systems Concepts", Management Science, 17(11) USA.

Discussion

This is the theorectical system science definition. A goal is a specific task achievable in a set time, while an objective is a desired outcome which need to be achieved (or partially achieved) within a time limit. Purposful systems can be given a problem to solve. Humans, and sufficiently complex machines, are purposeful.

SEBoK v. 2.4, released 19 May 2021