Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems

This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to an approach to complex problems and opportunities based on systems science and the application of systems thinking . 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.

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 practices.

To download a PDF of all of Part 2 (including this knowledge area), please click here.

Topics

The topics contained within this knowledge area include:

• Engineered System Context
• Identifying and Understanding Problems and Opportunities
• Synthesizing Possible Solutions
• Analysis and Selection between Alternative Solutions
• Implementing and Proving a Solution
• Deploying, Using, and Sustaining Systems to Solve Problems
• Stakeholder Responsibility
• Applying the 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..

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.

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. In the Introduction to SEBoK Part 2 we make the following distinctions:

• 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. This Knowledge Area describes the Systems Approach in the context of applying Systems Thinking to an engineered system through its whole life.

References

Works Cited

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

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).

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

No additional reference have been identified for SEBoK 0.75. Please provide any recommendations on additional reference in your review.

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