Introduction to Systems Thinking

Introduction to Systems Thinking Leave the first rating Students also studied Terms in this set (29) Science Engineering Save

SYSTEMS THINKING

13 terms Christine__14 Preview

D372: Section 1 Practice Quiz

12 terms etjeerdsma1Preview Systems Thinking 28 terms ali_harris2Preview System 16 terms Sar Practice questions for this set Learn1 / 7Study using Learn everything can be explained by causal chains of events. From this perspective the root causes are the events starting the chains of cause and effect.SystemA set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole.What are common elements of all systems?input, output, feedback loop, throughput, environment, boundaries, equilibrium, constraints Choose an answer 1Event Oriented Thinking2History 3Feedback Loop4Knowledge Of Statistics Don't know?

What is the function of any system?to process energy, information, or materials into a product or outcome for use within the system - or outside the system (environment), or both What is necessary for a system to be viable?strongly goal-directed, governed by feedback, interdependent and strongly coordinated components, and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances (adaptable) What are some examples of constraints?educational, sociocultural, legal/political, economic What are examples of resources?capital, people, knowledge and technology Feedback Loopinput --> throughput --> output (repeat) with influences from constraints and resources The Major InputsEnvironment, Resources, History Environmentwhich imposes constrains and opportunities about what the organization can or can not do Resourcescapital, people, knowledge, and technology Historywhich consists of memories of past successes, failures, throughputmultiple processes What influences throughput?constraints and resources System thinking focuses on cyclical rather than which effect?linear What was Deming's Concept?Profound Knowledge Knowledge of statisticsvariation, capability, uncertainty in data to identify where problems are and point managers and workers toward solutions Knowledge of Psychologymotivation people are afraid of failing and not being recognized, so they fear how data will be used against them What are the 5 Disciplines1. systems thinking

• personal mastery
• mental models,
• building shared vision
• team learning

Peter Senge says there are two types of learning organizations. What are they?controlling and learning Ludwig von Bertalanffy's theoryGeneral Systems Theory

What are some Systems challenges?1. Todays problems are often a result of yesterday's solutions

• Systems are complex
• Solutions often result in unintended consequences
• Separation of cause-effect by time and distance

Event Oriented Thinkingeverything can be explained by causal chains of events. From this perspective the root causes are the events starting the chains of cause and effect.Systems Thinking (Archetype)a system's behavior emerges from the structure of its feedback loops. Root causes are not individual nodes. They are forces emerging from particular feedback loops.Fixes that Fail (Archetype)A solution that is rapidly implemented to fix an urgent problem. This "quick fix" sets into motion unintended consequences that may not be evident at first but end up compounding the symptoms.Shifting the Burden (Archetype)A short-term solution produces side effects affecting the fundamental solution.Attention shifts to fixing the short term solution.Limits to Success (Archetypes)A given effort initially generates positive results. However, over time, the process reaches a constraint that slows down the overall performance.Drifting Goals (Archetypes)Address a gap between current state and a "goal" the decision is made to lower the goal. The effect is an gradual decline in system performance.Tragedy of the Commons (Archetype)Multiple stakeholders using a common resource do not pay attention to the effects they are having on the common resource. Eventually this resource may become unusable effecting all users of the system.Success to the Successful (Archetype)Two or more efforts compete for the same finite resources. The more successful effort gets a disproportionate allocation of resources to the detriment of the others.