"A SYSTEM is a collection of
interconnected components in which there is a specified set of dynamic
variables called 'inputs' (or excitations) and a dependent set called 'outputs'
(or responses).
..A system can be expressed as a collection
of collections.
..at the SUBSYSTEM level, the
collection of interconnected components and their behaviours can be thought of
as 'events'. ... a large system can be considered as a collection of
interconnected events, where each event consists of a collection of
interconnected components."
Systems may be classified as follows:
'Independent', the events have no
effect on one another and may be studied independently.
'Cascaded', the events are arranged
unilaterally in a sequential process, they may be studied one at a time and the
output from the proceeding will determine the input to the succeeding.
'Coupled', the events mutually affect
each other, they cannot be studied one at a time but must be studied
simultaneously. There will be at least one closed flow of output-input loop
that will pass through one or more events.
For most analysis and study systems are
considered CLOSED. A carefully designated boundary is an essential part
with things inside considered internal or endogenous and those outside
exogenous or external. Accounting, imposes a
closed approach consisting of a defined boundary and finite time intervals to
the systems to which it is applied. An accounting type of approach is usually
used to make a system amenable to analysis.
Real systems are generally OPEN and
may have fuzzy boundaries.
Spectrum of System Study Methodology:
|
REAL WORLD |
1.
Operational
Exercise 2.
Gaming 3.
Simulation 4.
Analytical
Model 5.
Committee
Review 6.
Individual
Review |
read down |
read down |
^ [NUNET] * [Hall's Matrix of
Activities for Systems Study] * [ Problem Solving Techniques ] *
[ O.R.
Operations Research ] * [ Synopsis of Model
Types ] *[NUNET description
] * [ TOPICS included ] *
[Introductions
to various TOPICS ] * [ Tools page] * [Search Index * Files]
End to date: 060210, ams