Week 2: SYSTEMS THEORY

Question 1

1. What is a system?

Answer 1

Organized, interrelated and interacting entities that work together to achieve a common goal

Question 2

1. What are the components of systems?

Answer 2

Boundary

• Separate system from the environment
• Defines the scope of system

Entities:

• The smallest unit of a system

Subsystems: grouping of related entities of a system

Input: flow of data from environment to system

Output: flows from system to environment

Interface: Interaction between subsystems

Buffer: Extra resources at the interfaces used to reduce the dependence btw subsystems

Feedback and control
Constrains

Question 3

1. What is systems approach?

Answer 3

The system approach is a way of thinking about the job of managing. It provides the framework for visualizing internal and external environmental factors an integrated whole. Important to recognize the integrated nature of specific systems, including the fact that each system has both input and output and can be viewed as a self-contained unit.

Question 4

1. What makes a system open rather than a closed system?

Answer 4

Feedback and control.