What is a System? (In a Nutshell)
by Carl Henn
Member of Global Learning's Advisory Committee
email: Chenn10607@aol.com
What is a System?
A system is sometimes a purposeful arrangement (pattern, design) of parts which interact with each other within the system's boundaries (form, organization, structure) to function as a whole. The nature (purpose, operation) of the whole is always different from, and more than, the sum (unassembled, unorganized collection) of its parts. For example, a tractor is a vehicular system consisting of any mechanical, electrical, electronic (non-living) sub-systems for propulsion, steering, lighting, seating, etc. The boundaries of each sub-system "interface" (connect) with one or more of the others. Design of he proper interfacing of sub-systems to achieve a whole functional tractor is called "systems integration". A farm is an integrated system of both living (the farmer, crops, animals, weeds, insects) and non-living (the tractor, barn, house, machinery, fertilizer) sub-systems. The tractor, and the farm itself, are "open systems" because they need fuel and maintenance from outside sources in order to function. Global Learning and System Thinking | Why System Thinking is a Critical Skill |
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