Systems Approach - Characteristics of A System

Revision of 'A System':

•   is an entity (something that exists by itself, although it need not be of material existence)
•  has components
•   is goal oriented
•  comprises of input – processing –output

Characteristics of a System - moving towards system approach:

A system:

•  is a relative concept: : a system is studied in relation to other systems.

• can be open or closed: : can or cannot be influenced by its environment respectively.

• has its goals : : the main purpose of a system is to achieve its ultimate goals.

• has its constraints: : a system has its limitations and faces obstacles on its way to achieve its goal.

• needs to think of alternatives : : in order to attain its goals, a system as to overcome its limitations by searching for alternatives.

• needs to put in place a general feedback system : : when the intended goal is achieved, a feedback system is implemented wherein the achieved goal can be improved further. Lack of a feedback system hampers progress and thus will adversely affect the intended goal.

• it follows the trend of revisibility: : for improvising, the intended goals need to be revised and hence the process begins all over again. Thus, one can say that no one design is final.

Example:

Consider the department of curriculum development. The curriculum set is compared with the curriculum of different boards and the best of all boards is selected. (relative concept)The curriculum can be restricted to a single board or can include objectives of other boards. (open or closed systems)The ulterior goal is always to make a good human being out of the learner. Hence, the curriculum is set considering a holistic view and overall development of the learner. (ultimate goal)The department may face the constraints of budget, time and learners with special needs. (constraints)The curriculum framed is inclusive of simple and complex activities.(alternatives)The curriculum is tested by teachers for a stipulated period of time. Suggestions, comments and reviews are collected. (general feedback system)The collected feedback is thought over and revised, keeping in sync the changing needs of the society. (revisibility)

Systems Approach - Introduction and Classification

Introduction to 'A System'

System is a word that one comes across almost all the while when referring to organizations. What exactly is this system?

When different parts of an organization join together to work in accord and thus become interdependent, through a common purpose, to achieve the same ultimate goal, then it is called as 'a system'.

Take a simple example of the human body. Our body is made up of various organs which perform a specific function. But on a whole they are interrelated are interdependent for the smooth functioning of the body. Hence, we can say that, our body is a system.

Classification 

Systems can be classified as:

Open and closed systems:

Open system: A system in which, its components accept changes from the environment for better performance is called an open system. Consider a school scenario, in which the components of the system comprise of the administration department, the faculty, the students, the management, and others. These components are all affected by the rules of the board management (the ones which they follow). Although the members of the board are not present in the school, the transactions are still prevalent. This association of the school with its environment can be classified under an open system.

Closed system: A system in which, its components do not accept changes from the environment is called an open system. Consider the local railway system of Mumbai. The train does not stop for its passengers to aboard in case they are late for aboarding or otherwise. The train runs according to its scheduled time. Since the train does not interact with its environment (the passengers not following the already set rules), with relation to its other components, we can classify it under a closed system.

Micro and macro systems

Micro system: A system which is a part of a larger system is known as a micro system. The drama room of a school can be considered as a micro system.

Macro system: Many micro systems together constitute a macro system. A university can be considered as a macro system as it consists of many micro systems such as examination dept, classrooms, faculty, students and the others in order to function.

Animate and inanimate systems

Animate system: Systems which have a life of its own are called animate systems. Example: humans, plants, the government, a running school etc.

Inanimate system: a system which falls under the category of non living things. Example: A motor car, a computer, a building etc.