1. BT 1005 Managing Information Lecture 1 Introduction to Information Systems: Information Systems Concepts

2. Contents Systems Approach Systems Boundaries Opened and Closed systems Systems Properties

3. Systems Approach Definition –usually along the lines of: “a series of parts, interconnected for the purpose of reaching a specific aim.”

4. Systems InputProcessingOutput

5. Systems InputProcessingOutput Feedback Control Storage

6. Systems Approach (cont’d) Systems are made of component parts A hierarchy can exist in the description of the system A change in one part could effect the whole system

7. Systems Boundaries Defines the scope of the system Can have problems when: –responsibilities overlap or –there are ambiguities of function

8. Opened and Closed systems Open – interact with external environment –Not to be confused with open architecture (any software on any machine) Closed – self contained

9. Hard and Soft properties Hard properties –Technical –Specific –Clearly defined Soft –Qualitative –Vague (fuzzy)

10. Summary Systems Approach – looks at whole system and its effects Boundaries should be defined Can be Open or Closed Can have Hard and/or Soft properties

11. Here endeth the first lesson Any Questions?