A presentation by Mr Rudolph Louw (Director: Transnet Centre of Systems Engineering: WITS University) at the Transport Forum SIG 21 April 2016 hosted by T-Systems SA Pty)Ltd. The theme for the event was: "Innovation in Transnet" and the topic of the presentation was: "A New Systems Perspective in Context of Transnet One Company"

1. Wits TCSE
Partnering for Systems Solutions
A New Systems Perspective in Context of
Transnet One Company
Innovation in Transnet
21 April 2016
1

2. Agenda
2
Who / What is
Transnet SOC
What is
Innovation
What is a
System(s)
Perspectives
S-TEAMS
Paradigm

3. Who / What is Transnet SOC
3
• Dates back to 1850.
• Transnet’s Strategic Intent assists in creating valuable
business opportunities that extend far beyond the
shorelines and borders of the country.
• Transnet is the largest and most crucial part of the
freight logistics chain that delivers goods to every
South African.
• “We deliver integrated, efficient, safe, reliable and
cost-effective services to South Africa.”
• “Moving Freight Reliably (safely)”

4. Who / What is Transnet SOC
4

5. Innovation
BusinessDictionary.com defines innovation as:
• The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or
service that creates value or for which customers will pay.
• To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an
economical cost and must satisfy a specific need.
• Innovation involves deliberate application of information,
imagination and initiative in deriving greater or different
values from resources, and includes all processes by which
new ideas are generated and converted into useful products.
• In business, innovation often results when ideas are applied
by the company in order to further satisfy the needs and
expectations of the customers.
5

6. Innovation Types
6

7. What is a System
Look at a motor car as a (sub-) system….
7

8. What is a System
From Rechtin, Systems Architecting of Organizations: Why Eagles
Can’t Swim:
– “A ‘system’ is a construct or collection of different
elements that together produce results not obtainable by
the elements alone.
– The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware,
software, facilities, policies, and documents; that is, all
things required to produce system-level results.”
8

9. The same situation can be viewed from a number of
perspectives, influenced by a number of elements such
as personal beliefs, culture, business motives, personal
motives, experiences and even fears.
Perspectives

10. Perspectives

11. S-TEAMS Paradigm
Simple Definition of paradigm
: a model or pattern for something that may be copied
: a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be
done, made, or thought about
Merriam-Webster

12. S-TEAMS Paradigm
Thinking
Engineering
Approach(es)
Methodologies
Science
Systems -

13. S-TEAMS Paradigm
13
Systems
Science
Engineering Thinking
Approach
Methodologies

14. Systems Approach
The primary purpose of applying a Systems Approach is
to achieve a common understanding and buy-in of the
System of Interest (SoI) as well as the Containing
System and its boundaries.
14

15. Systems Approach
• A Systems Approach requires that all the elements participating in
the constitution of a system as defined, are viewed in a holistic
fashion, understanding – sometimes intuitively and sometimes
analytically – the synergistic behaviour of all these elements to
form the System.
• A system can also be part of a greater system of systems and/or
have sibling and/or sub-systems.
• A system is often not immediately recognised for what it is, usually
it require a conscious effort by participants to collectively describe
the System boundaries and elements.

16. Systems Approach
There exist two levels of a system that is under review:
• The System of Interest (SoI) which comprises the collection of
all elements, or sub-systems, making up the system that is
being addressed for whichever purpose and
• The Containing System which describes the environment
within which the System of Interest finds itself in, usually
determined by means of establishing what external influences
– inward- or outward directed – there are between the SoI
and its environment.
16

17. Systems Approach
System of
Interest

18. Transnet’s Systems Approach
• How would Transnet draw its System of Interest as well as its
Containing System?
• Will it be identical for everyone here today?
• How should we go about it?
• Could we build a consensus Transnet systems approach view
with due appreciation of cause-effect and interrelatedness
between the elements, clearly identifying the contributing
elements and environment?
• Could it be a possible way to enhance the Transnet 1-
Company vision?
18

19. Systems Thinking
The primary purpose of applying Systems Thinking is to
create an understanding and appreciation of multiple
views on the same situation / problem / opportunity at
hand, in order to effectively address it.
19

20. Systems Thinking
• Peter Senge, a leader in the field, defines systems thinking as a
discipline for seeing wholes and a framework for seeing
interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of
change rather than static snapshots (Senge, 1990).
• We prefer to apply “systems thinking” in terms of appreciating the
context and intent of the viewer, in terms of how (s)he views the
containing - as well as system of interest for his/her specific
purpose at the time.
• “How does the viewer perceive the identified system and for
what purpose?”
• This leads to an appreciation for multiple perspectives or – views.
20

21. Systems Thinking – Multiple Views

23. DoDAF Linkages between Views
23

24. The World as a System – INCOSE Vision 2025

25. Transnet’s Systems Thinking View
• What would Transnet’s Systems Thinking View(s) look like?
– LTPF?
– MDS?
– ODs / Organisational?
– Triple bottom line (3BL)?
– New business?
– Operational efficiency?
– Transnet International Holdings?
25

26. Systems Engineering
26
We can see that SE
is a well-recognised
discipline….

27. Systems Engineering
From Rechtin, Systems Architecting of Organizations: Why Eagles
Can’t Swim:
– “Systems engineering is a methodical, disciplined
approach for the design, realization, technical
management, operations, and retirement of a system.
– A ‘system’ is a construct or collection of different
elements that together produce results not obtainable by
the elements alone.
– The elements, or parts, can include people, hardware,
software, facilities, policies, and documents; that is, all
things required to produce system-level results.”
27

28. Remember our Car Example?

29. Systems Engineering
• Is systems engineering the same as engineering
systems?
29

30. Systems Engineering
Most systems engineers accept the following basic core concepts:
• Understand the whole problem before you try to solve it.
• Translate the problem into measurable requirements.
• Examine all feasible alternatives before selecting a solution.
• Make sure you consider the total system life cycle. The birth to death
concept extends to maintenance, replacement and decommission. If
these are not considered in the other tasks, major life cycle costs can
be ignored.
• Make sure to test the total system before delivering it.
• Document everything.

31. SE Does not Substitute Management or PM
31
Sets goals, strategies,
objectives = MDS
Creates the roadmap on how
to get there and keeps the
train on track
Provides technical, holistic inputs,
guidance, manages the design,
trade-offs and implementation of
the systems solution
A Systems
understanding is
required at all
levels

32. Systems Science
An interdisciplinary field of science that studies the nature of
complex systems in nature, society, and science, aiming at
developing interdisciplinary foundations that are applicable in a
variety of areas including engineering, biology, medicine and
social sciences.
(ww.yourdictionary.com/systems-science#tTYv4KcArycxMAl4.99
accessed 16 April 2016).
32

33. Typical Systems Science Elements
• Open Systems and General Systems Theory
• Cybernetics
• Operations Research
• Systems Analysis
• System Dynamics
• Organizational Cybernetics
• Hard and Soft Systems Thinking
• Critical Systems Thinking
33

34. Why an S-TEAMS Paradigm
The S-TEAMS Paradigm is designed to:
• address a given situation / problem / opportunity,
• with a systems point of departure,
• transcending organisational, disciplinary and other (artificial or real)
boundaries.
Next a series of systems methodological examples will be presented
for consideration by Transnet as a new systems perspective on
Transnet 1-Company in order to further the goal of INNOVATION.
A Systems paradigm does not replace any other best practice, it is
aimed at enhancing individual / collective practices into a synergistic
whole that transcends the sum of the collective parts of the System.

35. Systems (ATES) Methodologies
• Systems Methodologies can loosely be described as best practice
methods that have been developed and tested over time to achieve
the desired Systems Paradigm results.
• There exist preferred methodologies for purposes of Systems
Approach, - Thinking, - Engineering and – Science.
• No single methodology is applicable throughout this series of
systems practices, and the systems practitioner should always pay
close attention to the intent and purpose and choose and tailor
methodologies accordingly.

36. How to Implement Systems …..
Approach….
Thinking….
Engineering….
Science….
HOW to do the WHAT
36

37. Systems Approach: Rich Pictures
Bell, Simon and Morse, Stephen (2012). How people use Rich Pictures. In: Open University Colloquium.
Pictures to Help People Think and Act., 07 March 2012, Open University, Milton Keynes.
Rich Pictures and their Effectiveness Jenny Coady, B.Sc. Dept. of P&Q Waterford Institute of Technology
• Rich pictures are drawn at the pre-analysis stage, before you know
clearly which parts of the situation should best be regarded as
process and which as structure.
• Rich Picture is a free form type of diagrammatic representation
especially as a tool to help groups arrive at a consensual analysis of
a situation.
• There are many ways of doing Rich Pictures.
• Flipcharts / white board, different colour pens, etc.
• Two primary “rules”:
– The paper/board has to be visible to all members of the group
at all times so it is clear to all what decisions have been made
as to the components and linkages within the system.
– text should be avoided as diagrams are much easier to
appreciate visually and take up far less space.

38. 38

39. Systems Thinking
• Methodologies include DeBono’s 6x Thinking Hats
and CATWOE.
39

40. Systems Thinking; CATWOE Perspectives

41. SE Methodologies
VALIDATION
VERIFICATION
TESTING

42. Spiral
42

43. Systems Science Methodologies
43

44. So What?
Transnet 1-Company – Innovation in Transnet
By adopting an S-TEAMS Paradigm, Transnet could potentially
reinforce its common understanding, vision, goals and objectives
and work across boundaries of all kinds, creating fertile
environments to innovate not only within one sub-organisation,
but within Transnet 1-Company in its containing environment.
It is a proposed MINDSET about Transnet 1-Company.
Transnet 1-Company Operational Concept
followed by its Concept of Operations…
44

45. 45
Thank you