Non-technical Systems Research Articles

Cross-disciplinary system value overview towards value-oriented design

AbstractSystems design methods should aim for systems creating value. The decision-making processes in system engineering struggle to optimize this objective; however, even though the traditional concept of system value as a purely economic metric is recognized as deficient, a well-defined and standard conceptualization of comprehensive system value is still lacking. This study set out to facilitate different stakeholders, involved in developing systems, with a broad perspective on value. We define the system value as the system's holistic impact, encompassing the multi-domain effects on processes, environments, and stakeholders. This inclusive view, to be used by practitioners designing systems and policies, is expected to update existing practices and enhance resulting systems. This paper renders an extensive review of value references in multiple domains, both in system engineering and external, non-engineering, disciplines, and sets the foundation for a revised framing of value in systems engineering. To enable future applications for systems optimization, system value is thoroughly characterized, including its dependency on internal and external factors. This research lays the groundwork for problem formulation of a system value measure, its application in system engineering methods, and further analysis of the subject, both for engineered and non-technical systems.

Вероятностная оценка эффективности функционирования социальных систем в условиях негативных факторов

An approach to the quantitative assessment of the open social system efficiency of a non-technical nature is con-sidered. The task is formulated from the standpoint of assessing complex indicators that take into consideration the conditions of external influences on an open non-technical system. Formalizing the formulated problem is carried out within the framework of the reliability theory methods. A two-parameter generalized analytical expression is obtained for calculating a probabilistic assessment of the open system efficiency, taking into consideration the nature of destructive impacts. An approach to calculating the probability of failure-free operation of such systems is substantiated, considering the frequency of failures caused by negative consequences from destructive impacts. The results of analytical modelling are presented in assessing the probabilistic indicators of open non-technical systems, in which the degradation of ongoing processes can be described on the basis of an exponential law. The processes of a non-technical nature corresponding to the specified distribution are given, which include the aging of information, the level of residual knowledge, the number of divorces by the number of years lived, motivational stability, etc., characteristic of such areas as pedagogy and psychology. The author considers an example of applying a reasonable approach in relation to the “burnout syndrome” based on analysing control points and time intervals, which allows predicting the future state of the diagnosed person according to the current assessments. Conclusions are made and directions for further research are determined.

The Triad “Cause-Mean-Effect” as a Way of Approximating the Efficiency of Technical or Non-technical Creations or Systems

The paper presents a method of approximating the efficiency of a Cause-Mean-Effect (CME) triad of technical or non-technical nature, which may be used in the phylosophy of technology, especially to estimate the effects over a longer period of time of a CME triad with cyclical and variable evolution. The method consists in the studying of the CME triad’s evolution by a graphical representation with three axes in which the position on its axis of representation of the cause C or of the effect E indicates its intensity and the position on its axis of representation of the mean M represents its value expressed by the maximal possible intrinsic negentropy: OM = - SM and by its reliability p(), the efficiency of the CME triad being approximated in a simplified form as given by the product of the ratios (E/M) and (E/C). The use value of the mean M can be empirically but generally approximated by a relation: M = KM SMp() wherein KM is a quasi-constant of proportionality whose value is inversely proportional to the value of the utilities necessary for the maintaining of the reliability p() of the M-mean and which may be taken also with decreasing value- in the case of a relative triad. There are presented examples of studying the efficiency of CME triads associated with technical or non-technical or mixed systems, which reveals the possibility of the method’s using in the theory of technical or non-technical systems, in particular - in assessing the risk of the society’s regression by the degrading of the environment by irrational using of some technologies or by the excessive exploitation of natural resources. It is evidenced also the link with the known principle of “agglomeration of results”, by the variant of “tetradic CME triad”, with two different but useful effects, E1, E2, obtained by a single cause C and a single mean M.

Distributed cognition, dementia, and technology.

The devastating effects of dementia result from cognitive degradation, in particular, working-memory (short-term memory) and planning processes. In supporting people with dementia, carers must take over these cognitive functions on behalf of the other person. This is an exhausting job. Technology may be able to offer assistance here. Its development will be encouraged by viewing cognition as a distributed process, and not just as something that happens inside one person's head. This paper argues for this approach, with examples from existing technical and non-technical systems of support for people with dementia which have been proven to work.

Interpretation of TRIZ Principles in a Service Related Context

A systematic innovation method such as the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) has powerful tools that can be used to solve contradiction problems in technical or non-technical systems. The most common tool used in TRIZ is 40 inventive principles (IPs). The purpose of this paper is to interpret these IPs from a service prospective. The data was collected from many resources found in the literature. A case study was conducted to prove the feasibility of interpretative IPs. The outcome of this study enhanced the usability of the 40 IPs by including new synonyms for some principles, comprehensive descriptions, and providing suggestions and examples for each principle. The interpretative principles focused on a service process used to fulfill customer demands. An Interpretation of TRIZ tool such as the 40 IPs in a service related context improves the understanding of these principles by researchers or service designers.

Benchmarking the Integration of Complex Systems Study in Mechanical Engineering Programs in the Southeastern United States

Complex systems study, defined as an understanding of interrelationships between engineered, technical, and non-technical (e.g., social or environmental) systems, has been identified as a critical component of undergraduate engineering education. This paper assesses the extent to which complex systems study has been integrated into undergraduate mechanical engineering programs in the southeastern United States. Engineering administrators and faculty were surveyed and university websites associated with engineering education were examined. The results suggest engineering administrators and faculty believe that undergraduate engineering education remains focused on traditional engineering topics. However, the review of university websites indicates a significant level of activity in complex systems study integration at the university level, although less so at college and department levels.

Viewing systems from a business management perspective: The ISO/IEC 15288 standard

AbstractThe scope of systems engineering as a discipline and profession is changing. Though the classical focus has been on technical systems, there is a pressing need to also apply a systems engineering approach to nontechnical systems. In addition, there is an increasing emphasis placed upon the management dimension of systems engineering and its impact on business and trade. To meet these new directions, an instrument is needed which can guide enterprises in dealing with the life cycle of all types of systems. This article presents factors related to ISO/IEC 15288's contribution as a guiding instrument for leading the engineering and management of systems in these new directions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 229–242, 2004

Entwurf von Talsperrensteuerungen auf der Grundlage von Lernverfahren

Designing control for technical and nontechnical systems, the analysis of expert actions and decisions should be prefered, if the classic methods refuse. One way for the design of knowledge based control is the implementation of classifier control. These methods trey to model the decision behaviour of an expert. In this paper two possible strategies are shown. First explained strategy is an improved method for machine learning by induction which creates decision trees. More over a new developed classifier control concept is presented, based on the Bayes' classifier. The practical application of these design strategies was done by the establishment of flood control strategies for the water reservoir Ratscher in the area of the Werra-river.

The Need for Computer-Aided Design in Modeling and Control of Nontechnical Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the importance of applying the same techniques of modeling and control to other kinds of dynamical systems than those most commonly encountered in the engineering world. The primary motivation for the development and application of computer aided design (CAD) to such systems is the large potential gain, particularly from an economic but also from a quality of life point of view. Considering, for example, the problem of managing the fishing operations in the North Atlantic, it can be discovered that a number of different criteria can be applied taking into account conflicting interests. A CAD system, employing dynamic models of the most essential biological and economic processes involved, would make it possible to compare the consequences of the different management strategies. An important part of a control strategy, at least based upon modern control concepts, is a state estimator utilizing observations from the real system to compute estimates of the state variables in the whole system.

Growth in a finite world—a comprehensive sensitivity analysis

The mathematical model basic to the results of The Limits to Growth has been found to be very sensitive to small perturbations. Even qualitatively different results, such as lack of evidence on which to base a prediction of the collapse of world population, can be obtained by a combination of small changes. Nevertheless comment is made on the value of the application of system-theoretic techniques to non-technical systems.

Some ideas and models in reliability theory

Summary Some questions about the meaning of reliability for the design of complex systems are discussed. Should the ideas of reliability be put in a broader framework, becoming applicable also to nontechnical systems, like a government organisation? In the mnd chapter some rather new failure models are reviewed and an interesting derivation of the Weibull distribution is discussed.