systems theory and modelling. © david o’sullivan, nui galway seminars introduction defining...

Systems Theory and Modelling

© David O’Sullivan, NUI Galway

Seminars

IntroductionDefining Innovation Innovation ProcessUnderstanding GoalsDefining ObjectivesManaging IndicatorsSystems Theory and ModellingCreativity and Idea GenerationManaging Project PortfoliosLeading Innovation TeamsManaging Results and Knowledge


This Lecture

• Open Systems• General Systems Theory (GST)• GST Traits• System Classification• Systems Analysis and Modelling• Activity Modelling (IDEFo)


Reduction vs. Systems

• 1950’s the main approach to understanding was ‘reductionism’ – divide something into its parts

• Ludwig von Bertalnffy proposed systems thinking – discover how something interacts with its environment


Open Systems

• All living and many non-living things are open systems

• Systems theory gives us a way to ‘think about’ open systems

• Systems theory lays the foundation for the analysis and modelling of systems

• Systems theory provides an analytical framework for comprehending dynamic interrelated operating systems


Open System

Sense Response

ENVIRONMENT

OPENSYSTEM


University – Open System

UNIVERSITY

Policy

Approved Funding

Industry Needs

Students

Funding Requests

New Knowledge

Graduates


Systems Thinking

• holistic approach to problem solving

• reflecting on how the organisation relates to its business environment and

• how factors in the environment can affect the organisation


Definition of ‘System’

“... an identifiable, complex dynamic entity composed of discernibly different parts or subsystems that are interrelated to and interdependent on each other and the whole entity with an overall capability to maintain stability and to adapt behaviour in response to external influences” [Webster’s]


General Systems Theory

• Science of understanding open systems theory

• GST provides a framework to study open systems

• GST is not too general nor too specific


Boulding’s Explanation

“Somewhere … between the specific that has no meaning and the general that has no content there must be, for each purpose and at each level of abstraction, an optimum degree of generality”


Beckett’s explanation

"The trust of general systems .. is to draw attention to the study of relationships of parts to one another within the wholes”


GST Traits

• Systems …– are Goal Seeking– are Holistic– have Hierarchy– have Inputs and Outputs– transform inputs into outputs– consume and/or create Energy– are affected by Entropy– have Equifinality– have Feedback


Goal Seeking All open systems must have goals There are two types

Inner directed goals Outer directed goals

Design strategies are typically “outer directed” goals

Maintenance strategies are an “inner directed” goal


Holistic SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM SUB

SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

Boundry

• Fredrick Hagel (1770-1831)– The whole is more than the sum of the parts– The whole determines the sum of the parts– The parts cannot be understood if considered

in isolation from the whole– The parts are dynamically interrelated and

interdependent


Hierarchical

WHOLE SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SUB SYSTEM

SYSTEMS

MORE GENERAL

MORE DETAIL

PLANT LEVEL

DEPARTMENT LEVEL

CELL LEVEL

PROCESS LEVEL

WORKSTATION LEVEL


Transform Inputs into Outputs

TRANSFORM INPUTS TO OUTPUTS

TRANSFORM INPUTS TO OUTPUTS

ERROR FEEDBACK

STATUS FEEDBACK

OUTPUT

INPUT

INPUT

OUTPUT

INPUTOUTPUT

INPUT


Entropy

• A measure of the amount of disorder in a system

• Everything disintegrates over time• Negative entropy or centropy• Effects of entropy are offset by the

system transforming itself continuously• Maintain order through such things as

repairs, maintenance and possibly growing by importing ‘energy’


Energy, Equifinality and Feedback

• Systems create/consume energy– Physical– Emotional

• Equifinality is the ability for systems to achieve goals in a number of ways

• This flexibility allows systems avoid the effects of entropy

• Systems have feedback - feedback can allow a system to change its direction


System Classification• Checkland's classification

– Natural Systems (ecological systems, human beings)– Physically Designed Systems (bridges, machines)– Abstract Design Systems (Languages, Mathematics)– Human Activity Systems (Politics, Banking)– Transcendental Systems (Beyond knowledge or

comprehension)• Boulding’s Classification

Transcendental

Social Oganisation

Human

Animal

Genetic-societal

Open System

Cybernetics

Clockworks

Frameworks1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9


Boulding’s Classification• Frameworks

– static structures (e.g. camshaft, skeleton, formal company organisations, rock)

• Clockworks– timing mechanisms (e.g. self winding clocks)

• Cybernetics– elementary closed systems with feedback (e.g. thermostats)

• Open system– elementary forms of life interact with their environment in order to change their

behaviour

• Genetic-societal systems– exchange information with other subsystems

• Animal system– mobility, self-awareness, and goal orientation-highly complex

• Human system– intelligence gives the human system the ability to think about the future, its goals,

and how to reach them.

• Social organisation – organisations which have their own combined goals, needs

• Transcendental, – all other systems not yet comprehended


Conclusions

• Views of GST are universal • GST combats ‘isolationist’ tendencies among

engineers, systems analysts, business analysts, IT specialists, etc. etc.

• GST offers a framework for understanding all systems

• Benefits of GST to design of systems are significant

• Theory of GST lays at the foundation of much new thinking in - including ‘Learning Organisations’, ‘Structured Analysis’, ‘Sociotechnical Design’ and ‘Strategic Planning’


5 minute break!

• Open Systems• General Systems Theory (GST)• GST Traits• System Classification

• Systems Analysis and Modelling• Activity Modelling (IDEFo)

Systems Analysis and Modelling


Modelling

• Represent existing and future systems

• Models are in-complete • Various models represent different

perspectives and levels of abstraction• Modelling techniques should be selected

to enhance communications between designers and users


Perspectives

Managing Director

ManufacturingEngineer

SoftwareEngineerSupervisor

ManufacturingManager

Accountant


Techniques


IDEFo

• Background• Activity Modelling• Cell Modelling• Hierarchical Decomposition• Principles of IDEFo• IDEFo Approach


Background

• IDEFo is an activity or process modelling technique

• Developed through US AirForce R&D• Basic idea: Adopt a common language for all

designers• Original ideas by Ross and his SADT technique• Sister languages

– IDEF1x used for data structure modelling– IDEF2 used for dynamic modelling (simulation)– Etc.

• http://www.idef.com


Cell Modelling


Hierarchical Decomposition


Arrows


ICOM Codes


Boundary Arrow Correspondence


Tunnelled Arrows


Modelling Demonstration

• Choose an activity!• Choose purpose and viewpoint!• Creating the A-0 diagram• Creating the A0 diagram• Creating the A-1 diagram


Node Index and Tree

• A0 Manufacture Product– A1 Plan For Manufacture

• A11 Identify Manufacturing Methods• A12 Estimate Requirements, Time, Cost to• A13 Develop Production Plans• A14 Develop Support Activities Plan

– A2 Make and Administer Schedules and Budgets• A21 Develop Master Schedule• A22 Develop Coordinating Schedule• A23 Estimate Costs & Make Budgets• A24 Monitor Performance To Schedule & Budget

– A3 Plan Production


Principles of IDEFo

• Cell Modelling Graphic Representation– Boxes-and-arrows show graphically all activities in a

system• Conciseness

– Two dimensional ‘structured’ diagrams and text provide concise detail

• Communication– Simple boxes and arrows, limitation of detail, structured

presentation of information• Rigor and Precision• Methodology

– Step-by-step approach• Organisation versus Function

– Separation of organisation from function


Rigor and Precision

• Detail exposition control (no more than six boxes)• Limited context (no omissions or unnecessary detail)• Diagram interface inter-connectivity• Data structure connectivity (through parenthesis)• Uniqueness of labels and titles• Syntax rules for graphics• Inputs are separate from controls• Data arrow labelling requirements• Minimum control of function• Purpose and viewpoint


IDEFo Methodology

• Select a viewpoint and purpose• Limit the subject matter• Create a top level diagram (A-0, one box only)• Create a context diagram (A-1, if necessary)• Create AO diagram (A0, two to six boxes)• Create subsequent diagrams, text and glossary• Review material and check for purpose and viewpoint• Additional pointers

– Avoid trivial activities and flows– Limit necessary detail at each level– Group related arrows and activities to simplify detail– Be clear, precise and consistent– Think control and not flow– Delay the addition of detail– If in doubt incoming flows should be controls– Annotate as you develop each diagram


Sample

• See course notes on 'Enterprise Modelling'


Summary

• Open Systems• General Systems Theory (GST)• GST Traits• System Classification• Systems Analysis and Modelling• Activity Modelling (IDEFo)


Online Assignment

• Develop an IDEFo model for your organisation

• Produce A-0, A0, and A-1 diagrams– Graphics plus Description Text

• Upload model into ‘Models’ web part

systems theory and modelling. © david o’sullivan, nui galway seminars introduction defining...

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