Systems in the Functional Domain

Abstract

From the development in Sec. C4.3, we understand that the real functional elements associated with a plant describe the functionality of the plant in varying detail; they are related in a hierarchical fashion, but there is no interaction between real functional elements associated with a given plant. We also saw that, in order to demonstrate that the functionality of a plant satisfies the stakeholder requirements, we need two types of imaginary functional elements; primary and secondary elements, and describe the real functional elements as systems of imaginary elements. So, as far as a given plant is concerned, interactions in the functional domain are between imaginary elements only, and this immediately raises a few questions: Are interactions between secondary elements identical to interactions between primary elements? What is the nature of interactions between primary and secondary elements? Do the primary and secondary elements form discernable subsystems? And if so, is there any benefit, in terms of better insight and understanding, in viewing them as subsystems?