Systems Thinking

Introduction

This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to knowledge about systems. 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 of systems and systems science which are relevant to Systems Engineering.

The word system is used in all areas of human activity and at all levels but what do people mean when they use the word “system” and is there some part of the meaning that is common to all applications? These and similar questions, all relating to the use of the word “system” in everyday language, need to be given careful consideration if we are to achieve a clear understanding of the underlying concepts of Systems Thinking before specializing to the engineering context.

systems thinking is an approach to understanding or intervening in systems based on the principles and concepts of systems. In this KA we give some basic definitions of Systems Thinking.

System Science (glossary) is a collective term for a group of theory and practice developed by researchers and practitioners applying systems thinking to a range of problems. In this KA we provide an overview of the most important ideas in system science.

Topics

The topics contained within this knowledge area include:

• What is a System?
• Systems Thinking
• Overview of System Science

References

Citations

None

Primary References

von Bertalanffy, L. 1968. General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. Revised ed. New York, NY: Braziller.

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

INCOSE 2011, INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook Issue 3.2.1 INCOSE-TP-2003-002-03.2.1

Flood, R. L. 1999. Rethinking the Fifth Discipline: Learning within the unknowable. Routledge (London and New York)

Churchman, C. W. 1968. The Systems Approach and its Enemies. Dell Publishing; New York.

Additional References

None

Article Discussion

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Systems Overview Section:

Description: Yes

Balanced: Yes

Scope is appropriate

Writing: appropriate

Citations: INCOMPLETE -- shows the "citation" guidance rather than any citations or a statement that there are no citations.

Additional References -- shows the instructions for this section, rather than any content.

Glossary: entry for "system" includes the word "<boundary>" for the first two entries -- this is a wiki instruction, not part of the glossary entry. Entry for "systems thinking" has no content

Cross-linkage: good

Maturity: with corrections for citation and glossary omissions and editing, this SECTION is mature enough.

First page, under General System Theory, the word "domain" is used. As SEs we are used to this usage -- will this be clear to the non-SE? Should there be a glossary entry for "domain"?

Signatures

--Radcock 19:12, 15 August 2011 (UTC)