Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems

According to Jackson and colleagues (2010, 41-43), the Systems Approach is a set of top-level principles that serves as the foundation for Systems Engineering. It is a holistic view of the system that includes the full life cycle as well as specific knowledge of technical and managerial systems engineering methods. Systems engineering-related competency models generally agree that a fully capable systems engineer must use the Systems Approach. Throughout the SEBoK, Systems Engineering theory and practice will be presented using the integral principles of both the Systems Approach and Systems Thinking. This Knowledge Area describes the Systems Approach in the context of applying Systems Thinking to an engineered system.

Topics

The topics contained within this knowledge area include:

• Overview of the Systems Approach
• Exploring a Problem or Opportunity
• Systems Analysis Approach
• Synthesis of a System
• Proving a System
• Owning and Making Use of a System
• Applying the Systems Approach

References

Citations

None.

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).

Jackson, S., D. Hitchins, and H. Eisner. 2010. "What is the Systems Approach?". INCOSE Insight 13(1): 41-43.

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.

Additional References

None.

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Signatures

--Radcock 11:53, 19 August 2011 (UTC)

--Apyster 20:39, 1 September 2011 (UTC)