2 System Definitions and Concepts Chap.
random group of items in a room would constitute a set with definite
relationships between the items, but it would not qualify as a system because
of the absence of unity, functional relationship, and useful purpose.
The Elements of a System
Systems are composed of components, attributes, and relationships. These are
described as follows:
1. Components are the operating parts of a system consisting of input,
process, and output. Each system component may assume a variety of
values to describe a system state as set by some control action and one or
more restrictions.
2. Attributes are the properties or discernible manifestations of the
components of a system. These attributes characterize the system.
3. Relationships are the links between components and attributes.
A system is a set of interrelated components working together toward
some common objective or purpose. The set of components has the following
properties:
1. The properties and behavior of each component of the set has an effect
on the properties and behavior of the set as a whole.
2. The properties and behavior of each component of the set depends on
the properties and behavior of at least one other component in the set.
3. Each possible subset of components has the two properties listed
previously; the components cannot be divided into independent subsets.
The properties listed earlier ensure that the set of components constituting a
system always has some characteristic or behavior pattern that cannot be
exhibited by any of its subsets. A system is more than the sum of its
component parts. However, the components of a system may themselves be
systems, and every system may be part of a larger system in a hierarchy.
The. objective or purpose of a system must be explicitly defined and
understood so that system components may be selected to provide the desired
output for each given set of inputs. Once defined, the objective or purpose
makes it possible to establish a measure of effectiveness indicating how well
the system performs. Establishing the purpose of a human-made system and
defining its measure of effectiveness is often a challenging task.
The purposeful action performed by a system is its function. A common
system function is that of altering material, energy, or information. This
alteration embraces input, process, and output. Some examples are the
materials processing in a manufacturing system or a digestive system, the
conversion of coal to electricity in a power plant system, and the information
processing in a computer system.
Systems that alter material, energy, or information are composed of
structural components, operating components, and flow components.
Structural components are the static parts; operating components are the parts
that perform the processing; and flow components are the material, energy, or
information being altered. A motive force must be present to provide the
alteration within the restrictions set by structural and operating components.
Structural, operating, and flow components have various attributes that
affect their influence on the system. The attributes of an electrical system may
be described in terms of inductance, capacitance, impedance, and so on. The
system may change 11s condition over time in only certain ways, as in the on or
of state of an electrical switching system. A system, condition, situation, or
state is set forth to describe a set of components, attributes, and relationships.
Sec. 1.1 System Definitions and Elements 3
A systems view is only one way of understanding complexity. Another is
that of a relational view. Three major differences exist between a relation and a
system. First, a relation exists between two and only two components, whereas
a system is described by the interaction between many components. Second, a
relation is formed out of the imminent qualities of the components, whereas a
system is.created by the particular position and spatial distribution of its
components. The components of a relation are separated spatially, whereas a
system is made up of the interacting distribution of its components. Third, the
connection between the components of a relation is direct, whereas the
connection in a system depends on a common reference to the entire set of
components making up the system.
Relationships that are functionally necessary to each other may be
characterized as first order. An example is symbiosis, the necessary relationship
of dissimilar organisms, such as an animal and a parasite. Second-order
relationships, called synergistic, are those that are complementary and add to
system performance. Redundance in a system exists when duplicate
components are present for the purpose of assuring continuation of the system
function.
Systems and Subsystems
The definition of a system is not complete without consideration for its position
in the hierarchy of systems. Every system is made up of components, and any
component can be broken down into smaller components. If two hierarchial
levels are involved in a given system, the lower is conveniently called a
subsystem. For example, in an air transportation system, the aircraft, terminals,
ground support equipment, and controls are subsystems. Equipment items,
people, and information are components. Clearly, the designations of system,
subsystem, and component are relative because the system at one level in the
hierarchy is the component at another.
In any particular situation, it is important to define the system under
consideration by specifying its limits, boundaries, or scope. Everything that
remains outside the boundaries of the system is considered to be the
environment. However, no system is completely isolated from its environment.
Material, energy, and/or information must often pass through the boundaries as
input to the system. In reverse, material, energy, and/or information that
passes from the system to the environment is called output.
