44221: Information Systems Lecture 3 (Week 4) Systems Concepts 2 By Ian Perry

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Our Systems ‘view’ so far … System Sub-system Element Sub-system Element Sub-system Element Customers Supplier s Competitors The Government A System is composed of Elements grouped into Sub-systems. A System has a Boundary (which separates it from other Systems) and a ‘unique’ Identity (which distinguishes it from similar Systems). A System ‘exists’ within other Systems; which are referred to as the Environment of that System.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Components Systems are an organised whole, consisting of a number of component parts, i.e.; the Elements & Sub-systems. Components: Have a Form, which might be: Concrete Abstract Have Attributes, which might be: Hard Soft

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Concrete v Abstract Form Concrete components; have a physical existence, and can be detected by at least one of our senses. Concrete components tend to ‘appear’ the same to different individuals. E.g. a Human Being. Concrete Money = the Coins & Notes in my Pocket. Abstract components; have no physical existence, so you can’t see, touch, hear, or smell them. Abstract components may ‘appear’ differently to different individuals. E.g. a Pretty/Ugly Person. Abstract Money = my Total Worth.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Hard v Soft Attributes Hard components; do not depend upon someone’s personal sense of value. Easy to define/quantify/measure. E.g. The dimensions of a Room. Hard Money = number of £1 Coins in my pocket. Soft components; have no agreed objective test to prove one person right or wrong. Hard (impossible?) to define/quantify/measure. E.g.: A nice Room. Soft Money = Value for money.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 So What? Beware the Abstract/Soft. Concrete/Hard Components, are quite easy to identify, as they: tend to ‘appear’ the same to different individuals. and are easy to define/quantify/measure. Abstract/Soft Components, are often difficult to identify, as they: may ‘appear’ differently to different individuals. and are, therefore, difficult to define/quantify/measure. Do NOT, however, ignore the Abstract/Soft; as all Systems contain Abstract/Soft Components.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Holism Systems thinking is all about considering the whole System; and its relationship with other whole Systems. The general principle of holism, as concisely stated by Aristotle, is that; “The whole is more than the sum of its parts”. A more modern definition is that; the properties of a given system cannot be determined or explained by the sum of its component parts alone. (

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Emergent Property Emergent Properties; occur/arise; because of the interaction between the components of a System and its environment. result in; what the System as a whole, or a component of the System (i.e. Sub-system and/or Element), is supposed to (i.e. has been designed to) achieve. may not always be as intended; e.g. users may adapt products to support tasks that designers never intended.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Components, Holism, Emergent Property Aeroplane Fuselage Tail Wing Engine Flight a Hard/Concrete Example

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Components, Holism, Emergent Property Order Processing Customer Requirements Product Knowledge Customer Satisfaction a Soft/Abstract Example

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Connection & Interaction Systems do NOT ‘exist’ in isolation: they are both ‘connected to’ and ‘interact with’ other Systems. Connection between Systems may be: Permanent or Ad-hoc. Interaction between Systems is, in most cases, considered to be: A two-way process.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Connection & Interaction (continued) System A Sub-system Element Sub-system Element System C Sub-system Element Sub-system Element System B Sub-system Element Sub-system Element Sub-system Element System A is ‘usually’ supplied with raw materials by System B. However, if System B is unable to supply ‘enough’ raw materials, they can be sourced from System C.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Connection & Interaction (continued) Naming the Sub-systems can make the Connections & Interactions easier to understand. Competitors Government System Customer Services Warehousing Manufacturing Element Customers Suppliers Element

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Connection & Interaction (continued) Customer Services Customers Sub-System Warehousing Manufacturing Sub-System Element Concentrate on ONE of the original Sub-systems at a time; and ‘view’ it as a System, in order to explore the Connections & Interactions in more detail. NB. The Sub-systems of this ‘view’ were the Elements of the previous ‘view’ of the whole System.

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 Systems Concepts from this Lecture Components Concrete/Abstract Form Hard/Soft Attributes Holism & Emergent Property Connection & Interaction

Ian PerrySlide : Information Systems: Systems Concepts 2 This Week’s Workshop Apply the information systems concepts from this week’s Lecture, in order to; analyse, in greater detail, the business as described by the ‘Local Parts’ Case Study. In advance of the Workshop session: Read the updated Case Study; attempt to answer the questions; and be prepared to contribute. Assignment 1? I hope you have all had a go at Assignment 1 by now. If not, then don’t leave it too late to begin; IS Analysis is NOT a trivial task.