GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY

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GENERAL SYSTEMS THEORY

• SYLLABUS THEME 1
• Study Unit 1.1
• Duration 2 lectures
• Source Ahituv, Neumann Riley(Ch 4)

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Introduction
Our objective with this course ?
To make you expert system designers
We live in a complex world - are our problems
getting bigger or smaller?
How can we overcome this complexity ? What about
this approach Mind our business and ignore
everything else ?
Why the systems approach ?
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The Systems Approach
If we divide the world around us into systems,
weend up with many smaller parts of a
whole. What is the danger related to this ?
Consider the following statement Things are
nothing but the sum of their parts. Is this true
?
Is there a problem with this approach ?
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The Systems Approach

• Definition of the general systems theory ?
• A specific philosophical viewpoint regarding
  reality,
• whereby the activities of the components in a
  system are coordinated in an optimal way.

Philosophical versus Analytical ?
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The Systems Approach
What is a system ?
A collection of components which interact with
each other to function as a whole.
A system is a set of interrelated entities, of
which no subset is unrelated to any other
subset -Kramer, 1977
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The Systems Approach
What is a system ?
A collection of components which interact with
each other to function as a whole.
A system is a set of interrelated entities, of
which no subset is unrelated to any other
subset -Kramer, 1977
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The Systems Approach
The most important conclusion regarding the
definitionof a system is thus that there are
relationshipsbetween the components/elements in
the system.

• Three phases to identify a system
• Determine the entities/components
• Identification of the relationships
• Identification of a possible goal of the system

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The Systems Approach

• Lets redefine a system
• A system is an observed collection of entities
  and
• relationships in which
• each entity has a relationship with every other
  entity (directly or indirectly)
• the collection of entities and relationships
  strive for a common goal

Does this imply that there is no such thing as a
system without a goal ?
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The Systems Approach
What are the advantages of thinking in terms of
systems ?

• The basic systems rule are valid for all systems
• Complex problems and situations can be
  represented
• in a simplified manner
• It can help to identify problem areas
• Helps to develop a comprehensive world view of
  our own.

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Class assignment

• Divide yourselves into groups of 3 to 5 and do
  the following exercise. Each group gives feedback
  to the class.
• You dont have to submit a group assignment!
• QUESTION
• Use the systems approach to identify three
  common systems that can be regarded as
  information systems.