Systems Flashcards
What is a System?
Purposeful collection of inter-related components working together towards a common objective.
Types of Systems?
- Technical Computer-Based Systems
2. Socio-Technical Computer-Based Systems.
Technical Systems
Include software & hardware, but not operators and operational processes.
Not self-aware
Socio-Technical Systems
Include software & hardware, and also operators and operational processes.
Governed by organisational policies and rules.
Properties of Socio-Technical Systems
- Emergent Properties.
- Non-deterministic
- Complex relationships with organisational objectives.
Emergent Properties
Properties of the system as a whole depend on components
Non-deterministic
Sometimes you do not get the same output when presented the same input.
System’s behavior partially dependent on human operators.
Complex relationships with organisational objectives
extent to which system depends on organisational objectives
does not just depend on system itself.
What Problems might emerge when making a Socio-Technical System?
- Volume
- Reliability
- Security
- Repairability
- Usability
Volume
Total space occupied depends on how component assemblies are arranged and connected.
Reliability
Systems reliability depends on component reliability but unexpected interactions can cause new types of failures
Security
Systems ability to resist attacks.
Repairability
How easy it is to fix a problem once it is discovered
Usability
How easy it is to use the system
