1 MIS 444 Information Resource Management Ahituv, Neumann, & Riley Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 2 A System Set of interdependent components that create a whole Components are dynamically linked Purpose sets a boundary, which distinguishes system from its environment Systems approach concerned with whole, but does not neglect parts –Suboptimization: optimizing components does not always optimize system –Synergy: whole more than sum of parts

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 3 Activities of the Systems Approach Define the [real] problem Gather data Identify alternative solutions Evaluate alternative solutions Select the “best” alternative Implement and monitor the solution

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 4 Scope of Systems Goals (short-term) and purposes (long-term) –Efficiency: right way –Effectiveness: right thing Inputs Outputs Boundaries, interfaces, and environment Components and interrelationships: black box view Constraints

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 5 Classification of Systems Natural vs. human-made Abstract vs. concrete Closed vs. open Deterministic, probabilistic, random Human, machine,human/machine Adaptive vs. non-adaptive Simple vs. complex Open-loop vs. closed-loop Organizations and information systems: open, adaptive, closed- loop, human-made, human/machine, concrete, complex, social, and probabilistic

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 6 Control System and system’s outputs Compare findings with standard Take corrective action that changes inputs, structure of the system, or objectives

Ahituv, Neumann, & RileyCh. 4: The Systems ApproachSlide 7 Control, cont’d. Controlled Subsystem Control Subsystem Sensing signals Corrective Signals Feedback loop

Appendix A - Ahituv, Neumann, & Riley Slide 8 Criteria for Making Network Choices Reliability, availability, and maintainability Compatibility Flexibility and extendibility Simplicity Capacity Response Time Security Cost