Chapter 2: Systems Approach

Question 1

What is a system?

Answer 1

An organized or complex whole; a group of parts interacting in a coordinated way.

The parts of the system affect the system and are affected by it.
The group of parts does something.
The group is of particular interest.

Question 2

What is a goal?

Answer 2

A broad, all-encompassing statement of the purpose of a system.

Question 3

What is an objective?

Answer 3

A more detailed, usually quantifiable statement of purpose pertaining to some aspect of the system. It can be broken down into requirements.

Question 4

Define requirements.

Answer 4

The specific criteria to which system and its parts must conform for the system to meet its overall goals and objectives.

Question 5

The smallest part of a system is …

Answer 5

an element.

Question 6

Define environment.

Answer 6

Anything that influences the behaviour / outcome of the system yet lies beyond the decision maker’s or stakeholder’s ability to control.

Question 7

Describe the goal of system design.

Answer 7

1) To create a process that
2) produces the desired outputs and
3) meets system objectives effectively, and
4) minimizes consumption of inputs and production of wasteful outputs.

Question 8

Define system integration.

Answer 8

Designing, implementing, and operating a system to achieve pre-specified objectives and requirements through the coordinated functioning of its elements and subsystems.

Question 9

What are the two systems in a project?

Answer 9

System being produced (end-result)

System producing the end-item

Question 10

What are the stages of the systems development cycle?

Answer 10

Conception
Definition
Design
Development
Fabrication
Testing
Installation / launch
Production
Operation & maintenance
Enhancement / replacement / termination

Question 11

What is systems engineering?

Answer 11

Designing complex systems in their totality.
Ensuring components & subsystems are designed, fitted together, checked and operated in the most efficient way.
Account for whole life cycle.

Question 12

What are the 3 dimensions of systems engineering?

Answer 12

1) Multi-functional, interdisciplinary, concurrent effort.

2) Addresses system’s structure and elements - its functional and physical design.

3) Takes into account the entire system life cycle.