Study Guide

Systems Thinking and Engineering

ISE 780
2023

Content compiled by Prof R Oosthuizen

Table of contents
1. Word of welcome............................................................................................................................ 3
2. Lecturer ........................................................................................................................................... 3
4. ETM Programme objective ............................................................................................................. 3
5. Module description ......................................................................................................................... 4
6. Teaching philosophy and approach ................................................................................................ 4
7. Articulation with other modules in the programme....................................................................... 5
8. Course schedule .............................................................................................................................. 5
9. Assessment structure...................................................................................................................... 5
a. Pre-Class Activity ............................................................................................................................. 5
b. Class Test ......................................................................................................................................... 6
c. Group Assignment .......................................................................................................................... 6
d. Individual Assignment ..................................................................................................................... 6
10. Credit map................................................................................................................................... 6
11. References .................................................................................................................................. 6
11.1 Prescribed book ...................................................................................................................... 6
11.2 Recommended reading ........................................................................................................... 7

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1. Word of welcome
We live in a world of systems. A system can be different things. Examples include technical systems,
social systems, biological systems, economic systems etc. Often the complex problem we want to
solve is part of a larger system, such as our energy situation, national airline, national railway system,
etc. Our natural tendency is to solve these system failures with reductionist thinking to focus on
detailed aspects of the system. However, we should attempt to understand the "big picture" using
holistic systems thinking to devise suitable solutions.

The module will also provide students with an overview of systems engineering resulting from systems
thinking, including the requisite tools, processes and system life cycle models. In its most basic form,
Systems Thinking is a way to see and understand our world.

2. Lecturer
3. Heading Information

Prof Rudolph Oosthuizen

Office Enterprise Building, 2-42

University of Pretoria
140 Lunnon Rd, Hillcrest
Telephone +27 12 420 5030
Fax +27 12 362 5307
E-mail rudolph.oosthuizen@up.ac.za
The preferred way of communication is via e-mail.
Use the module code as the first part of the subject line. E.g. ISE801
Consulting hours By appointment
Communication policy The discussion tool is enabled for the use of the students only. Please
do not try to contact the lecturer via any of the ClickUp communication
tools. The lecturer will, from time to time, monitor discussions.

4. ETM Programme objective

The honours programme in Engineering and Technology Management is aimed at engineers and
scientists who have recently completed a bachelor's degree and have insufficient work experience or
require an entry qualification to enrol for a master's degree in the technical management sciences.

The honours programme provides the first step towards technical management. It exposes the young
graduate to the management of technology and the management of technological innovation through
predefined modules and a research project.

By completing the honours programme, young engineers and scientists should improve their ability
to manage technology and learn how to develop and deploy technology innovations.

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5. Module description
System Thinking and Systems Engineering encapsulate systemic analysis of problem situations to
develop, implement, and maintain solution systems. Systems Thinking tools assist in analysing
complex situations to ensure that engineers can develop and implement a solution system. This
module aims to equip students with the ability to solve problems from a "whole", "big picture", or
"holistic" perspective. System and problem analysis requires various thinking skills for successful
functioning in a complex world.

The systems engineering processes consider the total system life-cycle, taking into account the
requirements of all stakeholders. Therefore, considering the context, all stakeholder requirements
need to be identified, analysed, described, and managed over time. Also, each system has a life cycle
where each phase has different requirements and challenges. This module will equip students with
the necessary Systems Engineering tools and processes to implement an effective solution.

To gain maximum benefit from the course, you should constantly try and relate the course material
to your work environment and observe the effects on your work efficiency. Please share your
experiences with the class to learn from them (doing so will also contribute to your semester mark).
You are expected to read more comprehensively than just the prescribed material and share this with
the class using the appropriate Discussions functionality of ClickUp.

6. Teaching philosophy and approach

Success in the course depends mainly on the time and effort spent studying the course material. The
lecture days put this material into context and focus on essential issues. Being prepared for the lecture
days will enable you to make the most of your classes. The class test at the start of the first day will
ensure that you are adequately prepared. This test will contribute to your semester mark as explained
under Assessment Structure.

Students are encouraged to look for and read additional material independently to support discussing
and debating the study material in class. Also, the course material should be related to your work
environment, as examples of possible applications of Systems Thinking and Systems Engineering.
Finally, sharing personal experiences with the class will also provide valuable learning opportunities.

My teaching philosophy is based on active classroom interaction between students and the lecturer
to share insights about the course material. Students learn best when having a social presence to
freely share their experiences and thoughts in class. My role as a facilitator, mentor, and coach is to
establish this environment for the journey to master the skills of the study field. The assessment aims
to measure how well students understand the literature and its application.

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7. Articulation with other modules in the programme

Programme Progression and ETM modules

Master and Doctoral Studies

Research Project: Systematic Literature Review

Techn. and Engineering Project Systems Maint. & Operations Technological

Innovation Techno Management Thinking Asset Management Entrepreneurship
Management Economics & Eng Man

ETM Programme

Graduate Programmes

8. Course schedule
Date Action
10 July to 11 August Preparation for the course
Participate in ClickUP activities
13 August Pre-class Activity – ClickUP submission before 23:00
16-18 August Class contact sessions – ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY
16 August Write entry class test online
Attend class (13:00 to 17:00)
17 August Attend class (08:00 to 17:00)
18 August Attend class (08:00 to 17:00)
17 September Group assignment – ClickUP submission before 23:00
13 October Individual assignment – ClickUP submission before 23:00

9. Assessment structure
Grading will be done as follows:
Assessment Weight Type of Assessment
15% Pre-class Activity
15% Online Class Test
20% Group Assignments
50% Semester Mark
50% Individual Assignment
100% Final Mark

a. Pre-Class Activity
Students will be required to complete activities on ClickUP as part of the preparation for the course.
The activity aims to help students build an understanding of the basics of Systems Thinking and
Systems Engineering. Details will be provided on ClickUP at the start of the module.

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b. Class Test
A short class test will be written on Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking principles and
terminologies on the morning of the first day. The aim is to ensure students have done the
preparation reading before the course. Pre-reading to prepare for the test will be provided. Working
through the prescribed book is not required but will give a broad understanding of the subject.

c. Group Assignment
The group assignment will consist of a Systems Thinking based analysis of a complex problem
situation to be solved by developing a new system. Each group will present the analysis and solution
of the problem on the morning of the second lecture day. Presentations should be prepared using
MS PowerPoint, and a presenter from the group members must be selected. Presentations should
provide a short problem description and background, a chosen Systems Thinking tool, and a concept
solution as input to the Systems Engineering Process. Details of the group presentation will be
discussed during class. All members must contribute to the group assignment.

The group assignment will be submitted after the contact week in a formal report. The template for
the report will be discussed in class. In addition, the group assignment will provide the point of
departure for the individual assignment.

d. Individual Assignment
The assignment must be completed individually and should conform to the assignment
requirements. The individual assignment will continue the work performed in the group assignment.
The details and requirements of the assignment will be discussed in a separate document. The
individual assignment must be submitted on a date after the course that will be communicated.

10. Credit map

Pre-study for Attend and Group Study and ClickUP
class Participate in Class Assignment Exam discussions
30 hours 20 hours 35 hours 70 hours 5 hours

16 credits: Total hours = 160

Please note: Hours allocated per item are indicative only.

11. References
11.1 Prescribed book
There is no formal prescribed handbook for this course. All materials, such as notes, prescribed journal
articles, and conference papers, will be available on ClickUP. In some cases, you will be expected to
download these from the internet (relevant links are provided). These are augmented with the
following online opensource books:
1. Hirshorn, S.R., Voss, L.D. and Bromley, L.K., 2017. NASA Systems Engineering Handbook.
2. Metzger, L.S., Rebovich Jr, G., Cormier, R.A., Norman, S.J.T., Schuh, D.L., Smyton, P.A., Swarz, R.S.
and Wendt, F.C., 2014. Systems Engineering Guide: Collected Wisdom from MITREs Systems
Engineering Experts. MITRE Corp Bedford MA United States.

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3. Wright, D., 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer/Donella H. Meadows.

11.2 Recommended reading

The following material is not mandatory but to enhance your learning.
1. Jackson, M.C., 2016. Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2. Arntz, M., Gregory, T. and Zierahn, U.T., 2020. Digitisation and the Future of Work:
Macroeconomic Consequences. Handbook of Labor, Human Resources and Population
Economics.
3. Boardman J. and Sauser B. 2008. Systems Thinking: Coping with 21st Century Problems, CRC
Press.
4. Boardman J. and Sauser B. 2013. Systemic Thinking: Building Maps for Worlds of Systems, Wiley
5. Braun, W., 2002. The system archetypes. System, 2002, p.27.
6. Checkland P. 1981. Systems Thinking, Systems Practice. Wiley
7. Ernst, E., Merola, R. and Samaan, D., 2019. Economics of Artificial Intelligence: Implications for
the Future of Work. IZA Journal of Labor Policy, 9(1).
8. Jackson M.C. 2003. Systems Thinking: Creative Holism for Managers. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
9. Kim, D.H., 1999. Introduction to systems thinking (Vol. 16). Waltham, MA: Pegasus
Communications.
10. Seymour S.J. and Luman R.L. 2011. Academic perspectives of systems engineering. Johns
Hopkins APL Technical Digest, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 377-386
11. Sharon A., et al. 2011. Project Management vs. Systems Engineering Management: A
practitioners' view on integrating the project and product domains, Systems Engineering. Wiley,
wileyonlinelibrary.com.

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11 Module content
THEME UNIT SUBUNIT REFERENCES

1. Definitions and 1.1 Pre-Course Work 1.1.1 Pre-Reading for class test • NASA Systems Engineering
Background Handbook
1.2.1 History of Systems Thinking & Systems Engineering
• Systems Engineering Guide:
1.2.2 Defining a System, Systems Thinking & Systems Collected Wisdom from MITREs
1.2 The World of Systems
Engineering Systems Engineering Experts.

1.2.3 Value of Systems Thinking and Systems Engineering

Theme 1: Learning By the end of the module, the student should be able to discuss the relationship between systems engineering and systems thinking,
outcome: along with the value within the context of solving contemporary everyday problems.

2. Understanding Systems 2.1.1 Defining complexity • NASA Systems Engineering

2.1 Complex Systems
2.2 Wicked Systems
Handbook
2.1.2 Emergence
• Systems Engineering Guide:
2.1.3 Complex Systems Engineering
Collected Wisdom from MITREs
2.2.1 Wicked problems Systems Engineering Experts.
2.2.2 Defining wicked systems

Theme 2: Learning By the end of the module, the student should be able to analyse a system to identify the sources and consequences of complexity within
outcome: the context of wicked problems.

3. Systems Thinking 3.1.1 Systems Thinking Principles • Systems thinking: Creative

3.1 Systems Thinking holism for managers.
3.1.2 Mental models

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THEME UNIT SUBUNIT REFERENCES

3.1.3 Systems Thinking Skills • Thinking in Systems: A Primer.

3.2.1 Systemigrams

3.2.2 Iceberg model

3.2 Systems Thinking Tools 3.2.3 Soft Systems Methodology

3.2.4 Root Cause Analysis

3.2.5 Critical Thinking

Theme 3: Learning By the end of the module, the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties of selecting
outcome: and applying systems thinking tools to analyse wicked problems.

4. Systems Thinking 4.1.1 System Dynamics Process • Systems thinking: Creative

Archetypes holism for managers.
3.1.2 Causal Loop Diagrams
4.1 System Dynamics • Thinking in Systems: A Primer.
3.1.3 Stock and Flow Diagrams

3.1.4 Generic Modes of Behaviour

4.2.1 Generic Archetypes

4.2 Systems Thinking
4.2.2 Specific Archetypes
Archetypes
4.2.3 Use of Archetypes

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THEME UNIT SUBUNIT REFERENCES

Theme 4: Learning By the end of the module, the student should be able to identify systems thinking archetypes in problem situations and discuss the
outcome: solutions to resolve expected dynamic system behaviour.

4. Systems Engineering 4.1.1 Concept of a System Life Cycle • NASA Systems Engineering
4.1 System life cycles Handbook
4.1.2 Different LC Models
• Systems Engineering Guide:
4.2.1 Business or Mission Analysis
Collected Wisdom from MITREs
4.2.2 Stakeholder Needs and Requirements Definition Process Systems Engineering Experts.

4.2 Systems Engineering 4.2.3 System Requirements Definition Process

Processes 4.2.4 Architecture Definition Process

4.2.5 Design Definition Process

4.2.6 System Analysis Process

4.3.1 Requirements Engineering

4.3 Systems Engineering
4.3.2 Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
Tools
4.3.3 Complex Systems Engineering

4.4.1 Project Planning Process

4.4 Systems Engineering
4.4.2 Project Assessment and Control Process
Implementation
4.4.3 Decision Management

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THEME UNIT SUBUNIT REFERENCES

4.4.4 Configuration Management

4.4.5 Acquisition Process

4.4.6 Make/Buy Decision

Theme 4: Learning By the end of the module, the student should be able to select and tailor a lifecycle model to manage the development of a system. The
outcome: student should be able to tailor and apply systems engineering technical and management processes to manage system development.
The student should be able to plan for the application of various systems engineering tools and processes to enable the development of a
complex system.

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