Foundations of Technology Mr. Brooks Unit 8 Systems Thinking Foundations of Technology Mr. Brooks

Standard 10.0 Develop a knowledge and understanding of Systems Thinking

Objective Students will be able to: Explain how systems thinking are used to apply logic and creativity in complex real-life problems. Apply the core concepts of systems thinking. Analyze the relationship between technological processes and natural processes.

Systems Thinking

Technological Systems A system is a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal.

Systems Thinking thought process that involves 1) seeing interrelationships instead of linear cause-effect chains 2) seeking processes of change over time rather than snapshots.

Traditional Ways of Thinking Designs were created by engineers and a design team. The plans were given to a fabrication team to figure out how to make the plan happen. Then the final plans were given to the manufacturing team who finally implemented the plan.

Systems Thinking The design team consults with the fabrication team while designing the product. The fabrication team consults with the Installation team while determining how to build the product. With this approach to systems thinking, there is some collaborative workspaces.

Systems Thinking design fabrication installation With this approach to systems thinking, all teams share input in a collaborative work space.

Systems Thinking Goes beyond events, looking at underlying systemic relationships. The foundation of systems thinking lies in understanding and interpreting how different components work together in a system. Optimization is the process used to make a design or system as effective as possible within the given criteria.

Systems Thinking Selecting resources involves trade-offs. Trade-offs are exchanges of one thing for another, often having to sacrifice one competing value for another. Simulation and mathematical modeling are used in the optimization process. A mathematical model is a mathematical way of representing a real world situation

Quality Control Quality control is a planned process designed to ensure a product meets established criteria based on customer specifications. A criterion is a feature that a product must have to meet specifications (criteria is plural). Specifications are a customers exact instructions on how they want the finished product to be.

Quality Control Complex systems have many layers of controls and feedback loops to provide information about the system. A control is a mechanism that helps the operator maintain control over the operation of equipment. A feedback loop is a system that collects information about a process and then feeds it back into the system so that decisions can be make using that information.

Quality Control Management is the process of accomplishing the goals of the organization through effective use of personnel and resources. A lot of processes are automated to increase productivity and aid in systems thinking and quality control. Automation is the use of a computer-controlled operation that uses machines to do the work, with only minimal supervision from people.

Technological Literacy Technological literacy is the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology. It is important in this age of technology that people understand how technology works.

Summary Systems thinking is a powerful tool that allows us to confront the most complex issues as individuals, in teams, or as part of an organization. Allows us to view the world as a whole. Enables a new level of understanding of why things are the way they are, and offers a means to find solutions to our problems.