Difference between revisions of "Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems"
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The approach described in this KA expands this fundamental systems approach to cover other aspects relevant to [[Engineered System (glossary)|Engineered Systems]]. 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, (Hitchins, 2009). 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 concepts, and thinking tools of Systems Thinking and Systems Science, along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem solving. It incorporates a holistic systems view that covers the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and full life cycles. | The approach described in this KA expands this fundamental systems approach to cover other aspects relevant to [[Engineered System (glossary)|Engineered Systems]]. 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, (Hitchins, 2009). 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 concepts, and thinking tools of Systems Thinking and Systems Science, along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem solving. It incorporates a holistic systems view that covers the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and full life cycles. | ||
− | + | People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice. Successful systems practice will not only applying [[Systems Thinking (glossary)]] to the system being created but should also consider a using system thinking in the way work is planned and conducted. It would also be of benefit to have people involved in pracice who have at the least an awareness of system research and ideally are involved in development of the theories relevant to better practice. | |
==References== | ==References== |
Revision as of 21:22, 8 August 2012
This Knowledge Area (KA) provides a guide to how a systems approach can be applied to the identification of complex problems and opportunities and the synthesis, implementation, sustainment and use of engineered system solutions.
In an engineered system context, a Systems Approach is a holistic approach which spans the whole life of an Engineered System in its development and operational/support contexts.
The need to define a Systems Approach to Engineered Systems to provide a common language and intellectual foundation for systems engineering is discussed in the Introduction to Part 2.
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:
- Overview of the Systems Approach
- 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
This KA describes a high level framework of activities and principles synthesized from the elements of the Systems Approaches described in Part 2. They are mapped to the Concepts of Systems Thinking, Principles of Systems Thinking, and Patterns of Systems Thinking to provide a guide to the system foundations of Systems Engineering practices. The following diagram describes how the knowledge is arranged in this KA.
As discussed in Systems Thinking the term Systems Approach 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.
The approach described in this KA expands this fundamental systems approach to cover other aspects relevant to Engineered Systems. 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, (Hitchins, 2009). 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 concepts, and thinking tools of Systems Thinking and Systems Science, along with the concepts inherent in engineering problem solving. It incorporates a holistic systems view that covers the larger context of the system, including engineering and operational environments, stakeholders, and full life cycles.
People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice. Successful systems practice will not only applying systems thinking to the system being created but should also consider a using system thinking in the way work is planned and conducted. It would also be of benefit to have people involved in pracice who have at the least an awareness of system research and ideally are involved in development of the theories relevant to better practice.
References
Works Cited
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.
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.
Additional References
Senge, P. M. 1990. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York, Doubleday/Currency.
Hitchins, D, 2007. Systems Engineering, a 21st Century Systems Methodology, Wiley
Lawson, H. 2010. A Journey Through the Systems Landscape. London, UK: College Publications, Kings College.
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