System in some way performs a transformation on its inputs from the environment and then sends them as outputs back to the environment. Transformation occurs to support system purpose, goals and objectives. No transformation then no system.
Perspectives and Stakeholders
It is vital to identify stakeholders and their level of interest in the system. Different stakeholders may have different perspectives – a view on something at a point in time. Perspectives can change in light of new information or change in circumstance. Example: Perspectives of a bicycle Environmentalist – mode Continue Reading
Dynamic Equilibrium
Concept of system keeping itself in a steady state. Control and feedback loops provide inputs into this concept. Concept suggests system has management capabilities to maintain dynamic equilibrium. If dynamic equilibrium not maintained, system may cease to function or may function in a manner that does not meet purpose, objectives Continue Reading
Emergence
Example of emergence: Central Heating System. Components are radiators, boiler, water, thermostat and pump. Collection of components provide no functionality. When organised and interconnected in specific way they form a system with emergence of heat and hot water. The thermostat is the control mechanism, inputs from the environment are how Continue Reading
Hierarchy
Hierarchy determines the graded levels of systems and sub-systems. Need to decide how many levels of hierarchy to analyse: too few results in any overly simplistic analysis resulting in interconnections and complexity being misunderstood too many results in any overly complicated analysis resulting in too much detail obscuring key interconnections Continue Reading
Environment and sub-system
Environment is context in which system operates and is major influence on system behaviour. System receives inputs from and provides outputs to environment. Systems change overtime. “What does the system interact with?” – no absolute answer. Depends on perspective taken. The same applies to the boundary too. Stakeholders have one Continue Reading
Boundary
Identifies limits of the system. Definition of boundary relates directly to system’s purpose. Inside boundary are elements/components that make up system and are within system’s control. Outside boundary is environment and the elements/components that are outside of the system’s control. Elements/components both inside and outside boundary can be used as system Continue Reading
Control
When the system is able to control itself. May use feedback received to match against goals and objectives. If any discrepancies detected, system takes corrective action by changing outputs which, as a result, change the inputs. This occurs on a continuous basis depending on the feedback. Control is over-arching term Continue Reading
DLM Dashboard from Redgate
This post will briefly explain what DLM Dashboard is, how to install it and initial configuration. Database Lifecycle Management (DLM) Dashboard from Redgate (available here) allows you keep an eye on your databases to ensure that they are in the desired state and that database drift is identified as early Continue Reading
Feedback
Feedback is an important Systems Thinking concept, it allows systems to keep a balance, or equilibrium. A system produces output in the environment which have an affect on the environment. This effects are reported back to the system by inputs. This feedback mechanism allows the system to manage itself so Continue Reading