2. Reduction vs. Systems
1950’s the main approach to understanding
was ‘reductionism’ – divide something into its
parts
Ludwig von Bertalnffy proposed systems
thinking – discover how something interacts
with its environment
3. General Systems Theory
Science of understanding open systems theory
GST provides a framework to study open systems
GST is not too general nor too specific
4. Open Systems
All living and many non-living things are open
systems
Systems theory gives us a way to ‘think about’
open systems
Systems theory lays the foundation for the
analysis and modelling of systems
Systems theory provides an analytical
framework for comprehending dynamic
interrelated operating systems
5. Open System
Sense Response
OPEN
SYSTEM
ENVIRONMENT
6. University – Open System
Policy
Approved Funding
Industry Needs
Students UNIVERSITY
Funding Requests
New Knowledge
Graduates
7. Systems Thinking
holistic approach to problem solving
reflecting on how the organisation relates to
its business environment and
how factors in the environment can affect the
organisation
8. Definition of ‘System’
“... an identifiable, complex dynamic entity
composed of discernibly different parts or
subsystems that are interrelated to and
interdependent on each other and the whole
entity with an overall capability to maintain
stability and to adapt behaviour in response
to external influences” [Webster’s]
9. Boulding’s Explanation
“Somewhere … between the specific that has
no meaning and the general that has no
content there must be, for each purpose and
at each level of abstraction, an optimum
degree of generality”
10. Beckett’s explanation
"The trust of general systems .. is to draw
attention to the study of relationships of
parts to one another within the wholes”
11. GST Traits
Systems …
are Goal Seeking
are Holistic
have Hierarchy
have Inputs and Outputs
transform inputs into outputs
consume and/or create Energy
are affected by Entropy
have Equifinality
have Feedback
12. Goal Seeking
All open systems must have goals
There are two types
Inner directed goals
Outer directed goals
Design strategies are typically “outer
directed” goals
Maintenance strategies are an “inner
directed” goal
13. Holistic SU B
SYSTEM
SU B
SYSTEM
SU B
Bou nd ry
SU B SYSTEM
SYSTEM
SU B
SYSTEM
SU B
SYSTEM
SU B
SYSTEM
Fredrick Hagel (1770-1831)
The whole is more than the sum of the parts
The whole determines the sum of the parts
The parts cannot be understood if considered
in isolation from the whole
The parts are dynamically interrelated and
interdependent
14. Hierarchical
W H OLE
SYSTEM
PLAN T LEVEL
MOR E GEN ER AL
SU B
SU B SYSTEM
D EPAR TMEN T LEVEL
SYSTEM
SU B
SYSTEM SYSTEMS
C ELL L EVEL
W OR KSTATION L EVEL
SU B
MOR E D ETAIL
SU B SYSTEM
SYSTEM
PR OC ESS LEVEL
SU B
SYSTEM
15. Transform Inputs into Outputs
IN PU T
ER R OR
FEED BAC K
TR AN SFOR M
IN PU T OU TPU T
IN PU TS TO
OU TPU TS
IN PU T
OU TPU T
TR AN SFOR M OU TPU T
IN PU TS TO
OU TPU TS
IN PU T
STATU S FEED BAC K
16. Entropy
A measure of the amount of disorder in a system
Everything disintegrates over time
Negative entropy or centropy
Effects of entropy are offset by the system
transforming itself continuously
Maintain order through such things as repairs,
maintenance and possibly growing by importing
‘energy’
17. Energy, Equifinality and Feedback
Systems create/consume energy
Physical
Emotional
Equifinality is the ability for systems to achieve
goals in a number of ways
This flexibility allows systems avoid the effects of
entropy
Systems have feedback - feedback can allow a
system to change its direction
18. Conclusions
Views of GST are universal
GST combats ‘isolationist’ tendencies among engineers,
systems analysts, business analysts, IT specialists, etc.
etc.
GST offers a framework for understanding all systems
Benefits of GST to design of systems are significant
Theory of GST lays at the foundation of much new
thinking in - including ‘Learning Organisations’,
‘Structured Analysis’, ‘Sociotechnical Design’ and
‘Strategic Planning’
19. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity
Kenneth Boulding, “General System Theory –
The Skeleton of Science”, 1956
The existing over-specialization of science and the
lack of communication between the different
areas.
Each studies some kind of systems, a classification
is necessary if a general methodology for their
study is to be developed.
20.
21. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity [2]
Frameworks
Level of static structures and relationship
Ex: the arrangement of atoms in a crystal, the
anatomy of genes, the organization of the
astronomical universe.
Clockworks
The Solar System simple dynamic system with
predetermined motion
Car engines and dynamos
22. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity [3]
Cybernetic Systems
Control mechanism, characterized: feedback
mechanisms with transmission and interpretation
of information.
A thermostat with teleological behavior
Cell
Self-maintaining structure
Open-system level
23. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity [4]
Plant
Process of the plant level take place without
specialized sense organs, the reaction to changes in
the environment is slow.
Animal
Wide range of specialized sensors convey a great
amount of information via a nervous system to a brain
where information can be stored and structured.
Reaction to changes in the environment are more or
less instantaneous.
24. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity [5]
Human
Sophisticated language capability and the use of
internal symbols through which man accumulates
knowledge.
Social Organization
The units assumed roles and these are tied together
by the channel of communication.
Transcendental
Unknowable, presupposed exhibit systemic structure
and relationship.
25. Boulding and the Hierarchy
of Systems Complexity [6]
Physical Scientist
Category of physical and mechanical systems:
framework, clockwork, cybernetics
Biologist, Botanist, and zoologist
cell, plant, and animal
Social Scientist
Human and social organization
Philosophy
Transcendental systems
26. Checkland and the Systems
Typology
Peter Checkland, “Systems Thinking Systems
Practice”, 1981.
The absolute minimum number of systems
classes necessary to describe the existing
reality is four natural, human activity,
designed physical, designed abstract,
systems.
27.
28. Checkland and the Systems
Typology [2]
Natural Systems
“they are systems which could not be other than
they are, given a universe whose patterns and
laws are not erratic”
Human Activity Systems
Have a tendency to integrate in such a way that
they can be viewed as a whole.
Social system
Ex: agricultural, defence, trading, transportation
29. Checkland and the Systems
Typology [3]
Designed Physical Systems
Systems fitted with purpose of mind because a need
for them in some human activity has been identified
Individual tools, individual machines, other designed
and fabricated material entities
Designed Abstract Systems
Various type of theological, philosophical or
knowledge systems.
Only associated with human beings.
30. General System Theory Kepentingannya bagi Desain Sistem Informasi
Komponen-komponen dari Gambarkan komponen-komponen dan hubungan antar
suatu sistem berinteraksi mereka selama proses analisis
Sebuah sistem adalah suatu Yakinkan untuk merumuskan keseluruhan sistem sebelum
keseluruhan menguji sub sistem
Sistem dibuat untuk tujuan Apa tujuan sistem informasi yang dibangun?
tertentu (goal seeking)
Sistem memiliki masukan dan Tujuan utama desain adalah menentukan masukan dan
keluaran keluaran
Sistem mengubah masukan Tugas utama desain adalah menentukan proses pengolahan
untuk menghasilkan keluaran untuk menghasilkan keluaran berdasarkan masukan
Sistem menunjukan adanya Pengolahan informasi adalah hal krisis bagi keberhasilan
entropi suatu organisasi
Sistem harus dikendalikan SI membantu mengendalikan organisasi; SI harus mempunyai
umpan balik
Sistem membentuk hirarki Disain SI merupakan tugas berhirarki; sistem terdiri dari
hirarki subsistem
Sistem memperlihatkan SI mempunyai banyak bagian-bagian khusus
adanya diferensiasi
Sistem memperlihatkan Ada banyak cara untuk mendisain SI untuk mencapai sasaran
adanya equifinality yang dikehendaki.
-Sistem cybernetic adamekanisme feedback melaluipengirimandaninterpretasiinformasi (contoh: thermostat, akanbertindakmenyesuaikandengansuhuruangan)-Cell struktur yang memeliharadirinyasendiri, kehidupanmensyaratkanadanyazat & energidankemampuanuntukmengelaloladanmenghasilkankehidupan.
-Plant level proseskehidupantumbuhantidakmelibatkan organ spesifik, reaksiterhadapperubahanlingkunganlambat; diidentifikasimelaluiproses genetic-Animal memiliki sensor yang khususmenyampaikaninformasimelaluisistemsyarafkeotakdimanainformasidiolah & disimpan; reaksiterhadapperubahanlingkunganlebihcepat (seketika)
-Human kemampuanbahasa yang baik & penggunaansimboluntukmengumpulkanpengetahuan, mengirimkanpengetahuandariotakkeotak/generasikegenerasi.-Social Organization memilikiaturandansalingberinteraksimelaluikomunikasi.-Transcendental segalasesuatu yang tidakdiketahui, hanyaspekuliasitentangstrukturdanhubungannya.
Natural: sistemekologi, Aktivitasmanusia: politik, perbankan