Chapter 2

Question 1

What is a system?

Answer 1

An organised or complex whole, which consists of interdependent and interacting parts with a specific purpose

An assemblage of thins/parts interacting in a coordinated way

When it is taken apart, it loses its essential property and so do the parts

A system is not the sum of its parts; it is the products of their interactions

Question 2

3 features of a system

Answer 2

1) The parts of the system affect the system and are affected by it
2) The assemblage of parts does something (serves a purpose)
3) The assemblage is of particular interest

Question 3

Difference between natural systems and human-made systems

Answer 3

Natural systems came into being by natural processes (e.g., animal organisms and planetary systems)
Human-made systems are designed and operated by people (e.g., communication systems)
Human-made systems need a clear goal/objective

Question 4

Purpose of projects

Answer 4

Projects exist for the purpose of creating new systems, or changing human-made systems, or altering natural systems

Question 5

Name the smaller parts that a system can be broken down into

Answer 5

system –> subsystem –> subsubsystem –> … —> element

Question 6

What is a subsystem?

Answer 6

A system that functions as a component of a larger system

Question 7

Attributes

Answer 7

Describe or express the condition of a system/subsystem/element in a quantitative or qualitative terms

Question 8

Purpose of attributes

Answer 8

Designed into the system so that the system performs as required

Question 9

Environment

Answer 9

anything that influences the behaviour/outcome of the system yet lies beyond the control of the decision maker

Question 10

Boundary

Answer 10

Separates the system from its environment

Question 11

Tool used to determine the scope

Answer 11

“Picture Frame” tool
Inside the picture frame = in scope
On the frame = unsure
Outside of the picture frame = outside of the scope

Question 12

Ask 2 questions to distinguish the system from its environment

Answer 12

1) is it relevant to the system?

2) can the decision maker control it?

Question 13

What is a system structure?

Name 2 examples

Answer 13

The system structure is the form of the relationship that links elements and subsystems

1) Hierarchical systems
2) Network systems

Question 14

How do human-made systems achieve their goals/objectives?

Answer 14

By converting inputs into outputs through a defined process

Question 15

Definition of systems constraints

Answer 15

Limitations that inhibit the ability of a system to reach goals and objectives

Question 16

Examples of system constraints

Answer 16

time

money

Question 17

Conflict within a system

Answer 17

Objectives of the subsystems sometimes conflict with each other –> reduces the ability for them or the overall system to realise their objectives

Question 18

Integration in systems

Answer 18

Removing conflicts between the objectives of subsystems to enable the overall system to meet its objectives

Question 19

Definition of integration

Answer 19

Designing, implementing, and operating a system to achieve pre-specified objectives through the coordinated functioning of its elements and subsystems is called system integration

Question 20

Definition of a closed system

Answer 20

Viewed as self-contained

Focusses on the operation, structure, and processes of a system without regard to the environment

Question 21

Definition of an open system

Answer 21

Interacts with and adapts to its environment
Examples
- human organisations
- social systems

Question 22

The systems approach

Answer 22

• Acknowledges that the behaviour of any one element affects the behaviour of others and that no single element can perform effectively without help from the others
• Recognises interdependencies and cause-effect relationships among elements
• Keeps focus on the bigger picture and ultimate goal
• Avoids actions that focus exclusively on parts of the system (suboptimal for the total system)

Question 23

What is the Systems Approach Methodology?

Answer 23

A methodology for solving problems and managing systems

Question 24

What does the Systems Approach account for?

Answer 24

1) Objectives and the performance criteria of the system
2) Environment and constraints of the system
3) Resources of the system
4) Elements of the system, their functions, attributes, and performance measures
5) Interaction among the system
6) Management of the system
7) Methodology commonly employs models

Question 25

A model

Answer 25

A simplified representation of the world

It abstracts the essential features of the system under study

Question 26

A physical model

Answer 26

A scaled-down abstraction of the real system
Includes some aspects of the system and excludes others
e.g., model airplane

Question 27

A conceptual model

Answer 27

Depicts the elements, structure, and flows in a system in terms of a schematic diagram/mathematical model
e.g., population dynamics schematic

Question 28

What is the system life cycle?

The basic life cycle of human-designed systems

Answer 28

The series of logical, structured steps called the systems development cycle

Question 29

Phases of the systems development cycle (systems engineering)

Answer 29

1) Conception
2) Definition
3) Design
4) Development
5) Fabrication
6) Testing
7) Installation or launch
8) Production
9) Operation and Maintenance
10) Enhancement, replacement or termination

Question 30

Definition of Systems Engineering

Answer 30

The science of designing complex systems in their totality to ensure that the components and subsystems making up the system are designed, fitted together, checked and operated in the most efficient way

Question 31

What are the 3 dimensions of Systems Engineering?

Answer 31

1) Multidisciplinary time
- -> SE is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, concurrent effort
2) System modularisation
- -> It addresses the system’s structure and elements (its functional and physical design)
3) System life cycle
- -> takes into account the way the system will be produces, operated, maintained, and disposed of

Question 32

Define dimension 1 of Systems Engineering: Multidisciplinary team

Answer 32

Systems engineers work with the system’s stakeholders to determine their needs and what the system must do to fulfil them
The needs become the basis for defining the system requirements, which specify what the system will do

Question 33

Define dimension 2 of Systems Engineering: System modularisation

Answer 33

System elements and subsystems are designed to perform the functions necessary to satisfy stakeholder objectives and requirements
Design effort focuses on how the system will meet the requirements

Question 34

Define dimension 3 of Systems Engineering: System life cycle

Answer 34

Helps ensure that the system will be economical to develop, build, operate, and maintain , and that it will be friendly to users and the environment

Question 35

Creating a system concept

Answer 35

The process is an iterative cycle of

1) Top-down analysis of details (decomposing system into smaller parts)
2) Bottom-up synthesis (building up and integrating the parts into successively larger parts)
3) Evaluation (checking to see that the results meet the requirements)