ISAT 433

SYSTEMS CONCEPTS DR. GEOFFREY EGEKWU

Literature references: systems approach, systems thinking, systems methodA system is a “set of objects with relationships between the objects and between their attributes” ORA system is a “collection of objects working together to produce something greater” - product of system may be tangible or intangibleTherefore system thinking approach is a logical way of dealing with complexity (representation, design, or analysis)

ALL

ABOUT SYSTEMS MODELING

SYSTEMS CONCEPTS and CONTRUCTS INCLUDE ...

Wholeness - a system is part of a wholeBoundary/interface ; boundary conditionsHierarchical orderEnvironmentSystems integrationInputs/transformation/outputs (limit to single form)Feedback/adaptation/stabilityHard systems (structure, elements, and boundaries are explicit and can be well defined) vs. Soft system (high level of human activity, structure and interactions hard to define, emphasis is on learning and improving system)

MODELING ESSENTIALSIs a model a true representation of reality?Modeling is the art of simplification i.e. provisional and never finalA system model evolves in detail as one’s understanding improves

always important to define goal(s)/objective(s) of the system analysis a’ priori

Client (or analyst) may not know what:will be possible, affordable, or of the greatest value to client; need for prototype (e.g. DC-3 development)

Examples of different systems : bio-system, production/manufacturing, ecology, policy study, family, waiting line, information, energy, etc.

Systems Analysis in form of Productivity Improvements:

Is major source of productivity improvements in most organizations todaysmall, steady, incremental improvements include processes, methods, etc.they add-up to impact the bottom line.Contrast with Business/Process Reengineering activities … quantum leap gain is the motivation here

higher project expenditure (hardware and software)longer time to achievehigher level of risk and complexity

Hints for systems modeling/analysis

How is it done?Frederick Taylor (time and work study)Frank and Lillian Gilbreth (motion study)Elton Mayo (worker motivation)

• Sociotechnical systems approach-adjusting need of production process to worker or group need

• Job enrichment (money not a motivator)

All based on what is being done currentlyobservation, work samplinginterviews, etc.

Hints for systems analysis: Analyst May have to ask ...

What is the task?Why do it?Working smarter involves answering above questions with supporting dataInvolves identifying important variables, the nature of their interaction, and how changes to them affect entire system.Examples: IRS audit, Financial Aid processingLimit analysis to a single form - information flow, material flow, etc.Avoid temptation to “leapfrog to solution”Define nature of all system interfaces

Technology Planning

Organizational Planning and scheduling

Manufacturing control and monitoring

Budgeting and accounting

Strategic goal planning

Capital Equipment

facility planning

Long range planning

and forecasting

Marketresearch

FutureLong Range Present pastFuture

Manufacturing Processplanning

EngineeringAnd

design

Customer Order

servicing

Purchasing

Production,order scheduling,

Monitoring and control

Customer Order

servicing

Credit Accounting

Profit and loss

Calculation budgeting

Debit Accounting

Receiving

Raw material

inventory

PurchasedParts

inventory

PurchasedParts

inventory

FinishedParts

inventory

Assembly

Quality control

SpareParts

inventory

Finished goods

inventory

Shipping

Suppliers market

Product market

InquiryQuotationsCustomer

Orderinquiry

CustomerOrder

Materialrequirement

Order to supplier

Work-piece drawingBill of material

Control

Feedback

Feedback

Control

Shop orders

Assembly orders

Material Cost

Salaries

TaxesDepreciationInterestprofit

Product Line

Manufacturing plans

NC programs

Product Description

(technical data)

Transactions

Transa

ctions

Flow Information Flow Material Flow Funds

Tool Crib System

Tool Order Subsystem

Process Order Transaction

Check Tool Delivery

Generate Order/Delivery

Report

Warehouse OperationsSubsystem

Process Warehouse Inquiries

Process Employee Inquiries

Generate Availability

Report

Update Tool Availability

Check in/out transaction subsystem

Check out Transaction

Check in Transaction

Generate Transaction

Report

Employee/Vendor Records Subsystem

Process Employee

Information

Process Vendor

Information

GenerateEmployee

Report

GenerateVendor Report

Functional Decomposition Diagram

Tool Crib System

Tool Order Subsystem

Process Order Transaction

Check Tool Delivery

Generate Order/Delivery

Report

Warehouse OperationsSubsystem

Process Warehouse Inquiries

Generate Availability

Report

Update Tool Availability

Check in/out transaction subsystem

ProcessCheck in

Transaction

ProcessCheck out

Transaction

Generate Transaction

Report

Employee/Vendor Records Subsystem

Process Employee

Information

Process Vendor

Information

GenerateEmployee

Report

GenerateVendor Report

Generate Missing tool

Report

Generate Check in Receipt

GenerateTool check out Activity Report

Generate Tool Location notice

Generate Request Analysis

Report

Provide Tool Availability

query results

Provide Employee Skill query results

Generate Daily

Report

Generate Check out Receipt

Pg

9Pg

8

Pg

8

Event Decomposition Diagrams

Page 7

Safety Committee

Vendor

Generate Tool Location Notice

Process Tool Order

Generate P.O. Cancel.

Notice

Generate P.O. Modif.

Request

Purchase Order

Generate Inventory

List

Generate Shipment Receipt notice

Gen. Shipm. Receipt Notice

Paid Invoice Notice

Foreman

Account Payable

Tool Crib Staff

Process Employee Request

Skill Classification

Tool Transaction

Employee

Generate Tool Check-out

Authorization

Generate Lost Tool Posting

Generate Check-in Receipt

Generate Restricted Tools List

Tool Request

Tool Availability confirmation

New Tool transaction

Give to Employee

Warehouse Small/large Tool

Canceled Order

Modified Order

Generate Damage

description

System Diagram

Other Tools of the trade

Pareto charts

Total Quality Management Tools; SPC

Quality Function deployment

Simulation