Systems Analysis And Design

Systems Concepts

Learning Objectives
 

Define the generic system Describe the generic systems

Parts  Properties  Types (open, closed and relatively-closed)


Recognize human organizations and information infrastructures as systems

What is a System?


Set of related components that work together in a particular environment to perform whatever functions are required to achieve the system's objective.

Characteristic Parts of Systems

   

Boundary: divides system from environment Inputs: data from environment to system Output: data from system to environment Components: subparts of systems operating independently (also called subsystem) Interrelationships: associations between components of a system

Characteristic Parts of Systems



 

Interfaces: point of contact between system and environment, or between subsystems Constraints: limit to what a system can accomplish Purpose: overall goal or function of a system Environment: everything external to the system that interacts with it

System Properties


Decomposition: a system can be broken down into smaller constituents Modularity: the result of decomposition; individual parts of a system


Can even be subsystems

System Properties


Coupling: dependencies and relationships between subsystems Cohesion: extent to which a subsystem performs a single function

System Types


Closed: no exchanges with environment Open: takes known input, as well as disturbances Relatively-closed: takes only known and acceptable inputs

Decomposition and modularity make systems easier to understand, analyze, design, and maintain.

Human Organizations as Systems



Human Subsystem: psycho-social aspect of the organization Operations Subsystem: technical/scientific Environment Subsystem: conformities and adaptations

Human Organizations as Systems

Human being (eats, breathes, goes to work, raises a family, retires prosperous and fulfilled) Organs with individual functions form a system (ex. Nervous, Circulatory, Respiratory, etc.) Systems perform bigger functions (control, circulation, breathing, etc) Bigger functions keep us alive; when one is compromised, the whole body is affected Human organization (consumes raw materials, produces products, pays its workers, grows) Individuals have unique abilities (bookkeeping, designing, coaching, leading, etc.) Individuals with related abilities form a department (Accounting, Engineering, Management, etc.) The departments support each others needs; this motivates the people and the firm grows, or else.