Post on 21-Apr-2020
Holistic Approach to Finding
the Whole Solution:
Using Systems Principles & Concepts
James N Martin, PhD
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
12th Workshop on Critical Software Systems
Tokyo, Japan
Topics
• The Concept of Holism
• The Concept of Systems
• How to Conceptualize Systems
… Using the PICARD Theory
• The Seven Samurai of Systems Engineering
… Achieving a Holistic Complete Solution
Systems Principles &
Concepts page 2
What is Holism?
• Philosophy: the theory that the parts of a whole are in
intimate interconnection
– they cannot exist independently of the whole
– cannot be understood without reference to the whole
– the “whole” is greater than the sum of its parts
– is often applied to mental states, language & ecology
• Medicine: the treating of the whole person
– taking into account mental and social factors
– rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease
Systems Principles & Concepts page 3
Holism is the complement of Reductionism:
Engineering relies on Reductionism –
while SE also relies on Holism
What is a System?
• A set of interacting or interdependent
components forming an integrated whole
• Every system is delineated by its spatial and
temporal boundaries
– surrounded and influenced by its environment
– described by its structure and purpose
– expressed in its functionality
and behavior
Systems Principles &
Concepts page 4
How to Conceptualize Systems
…Using the PICARD Theory
This theory is an important tool for
helping you see the Whole System
5
6
PICARD Theory of Systems
Parts
Interactions
Context
Actions
Relationships
Destination
System = ∑ Helps you see the
“Whole” System
A Common Belief
• Many will say that: A system is a “thing”
• I will show you why this is misguided thinking
• True Systems Thinking demands a more
holistic viewpoint and a broader perspective
7
8
PICARD-Based
Systems Thinking
“A system is a way of looking at the world.”
“… a system, any system, is the point of
view of one or several observers.”
Gerald M. Weinberg (1975),
An Introduction to General Systems Thinking
9
Thing
System as a “Point of View”
Point of View
Image
Observer
10
Two Observers Two Systems
Thing
Observers
Point of View
Image
11
Some Recent History
• The Solar System (2005)
The Sun plus 9 Planets
• The Solar System (2006)
The Sun plus 8 Planets
12
13
Our Choice…
• The things we “put” into our System
– Are things of our own Choosing
– Are there for the purpose of Understanding
– Are not pre-determined by some magical
“Rules of Inclusion”
• We must choose Carefully
– A wrong choice could lead to incorrect
Understanding
– We often don’t know a priori what is the best
Rule of Inclusion to use
– May need to experiment with different possible
System boundaries & configurations
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
A Common (Mis)Perception
System = Sum of Parts
That We Design & Build
21
System Parts
22
Parts – Also Known As…
• Subsystems
• Elements
• Products
• Devices
• Subassemblies
• Components
• Items
• Units
23
What are the Parts of this System ?
• Camera Lens Assembly
• Flash Device
• Electronic Circuit
• User Interface Unit
• Carrying Case
• Shipping Container
• Instructions
• Technique for Holding
• Extra batteries
• Photo Printer
• Patents
24
We need to Imagine more than just
the things we build…
25
What Types of Parts Constitute
a System?
Hardware and Software ??
Hardware and Software and People ??
26
Types of System Parts
PATENT
BASIC
PART TYPES
HARDWARE SOFTWARE PERSONNEL FACILITIES
DATA MATERIALS SERVICES TECHNIQUES
27
More Than Just Parts…
System = Sum of Parts
+ Interactions
28
How many ways to Interact ?
8 Items Interacting
• Simple one-way count = ( 8 x 7) / 2 = 28 Interactions only counted in one direction
• Simple two-way count = 8 x 7 = 56 Interactions counted in both directions
• Multi-nary count (not binary) = 8 ! = 40,320 Ex: A-B-C is one 3-way interaction
Called “n-ary” connections
• What about different “kinds” of interactions?
Count can then approach infinity…
29
∞
30
Which is the best way to Interact ?
?
31
Beyond Interactions…
System = Sum of Parts
+ Interactions
+ Context
What is the Context for a System?
• Context = All relevant and important things
in the Surroundings of the System
Note There might be more than one Context…
Systems Principles &
Concepts page 32
33
Context 1
PART
PART PART
PART
Context 2
PART
PART PART
PART
34
Beyond Context…
System = Sum of Parts
+ Interactions + Context
+ Actions
35
Camera Actions
36
Action Diagrams
37
Context A
Action in Different Contexts
Action
1
Action
2
Context B
Action
1
Action
3
38
Beyond Actions…
System = Sum of Parts
+ Interactions + Context
+ Actions + Relationships
39
Relationship Types
• Interpersonal
– Family, Friends, Social, Organizational, …
• Mathematical
– Equality, Order, Topological, Functionality, …
• Cause-Effect
– Event-Driven, Probabilistic, Forces, Fields, …
40
Entity-Relationship Pairs
Entity A
Entity B
Related to
Rain
Wet
Ground
Causes
41
More Relationship Examples…
Balls
Box
Inside
Road
Building
Brings traffic to
and from
42
Observing System Relationships
(Example)
Observing
System
Data Handling
System provides
data to
User provides
info to
43
Observing System Relationships
(Example)
Observing
System
Data Handling
System provides
data to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Stakeholder
Requirement
44
Observing System Relationships
(Example)
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Environmental
Phenomenon
provides
data to
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
45
Observing System Relationships
(Example)
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
46
Observing System Relationships
(Example)
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Location
located
at
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
situated on
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
47
Observing System Relationships
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
located
at
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
48
Observing System Relationships
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
located
at
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
49
System = Sum of Parts
+ Interactions + Context
+ Actions + Relationships
+ Destination
And Finally…
50
Destination Impact
Purpose
51
Reaching the proper Destination
requires having the right Purpose
52
Systems Thinking
“A system is a way of looking at the world.”
“… a system, any system, is the point of
view of one or several observers.”
Gerald M. Weinberg (1975),
An Introduction to General Systems Thinking
53
PICARD Theory of Systems
Parts
Interactions
Context
Actions
Relationships
Destination
Holistic
Image of System =
From the Point of View of an Observer
54
Thing
Systems can be Better “Imagined” by
Taking the Holistic Perspective
Point of View
Observer
Image
55
PICARD is a Useful Lens for “Seeing”
a System more Holistically
56 56
System – Seen by Operator
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
57 57
System – Seen by User
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
58 58
System – Seen by Developer
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
IF
IF IF
IF
IF
IF
IF
IF
59 59
System – Seen by GEOSS*
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives * Global Earth Observation
System of Systems (GEOSS)
60 60
System – Seen by the Architect
Larger
System
Observing
System
Data Handling
System
Human
Environmental
Phenomenon
Environmental
Parameter
Sensing
Element
Sensor
Platform /
Station
part of
measures
is a
contains
characterizes
provides
data to
Observation
Control System is controlled by
Location
Mobile Fixed
is
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Space
Air
Ground
Ocean
Basic Service
Requirement
< drives
provides data directly to
User provides
info to
is type
of
Stake-
holder
has
Operator operated by
situated on
Support
supported
by
Owner
owned
by
Stakeholder
Requirement
< drives < drives
61
Systems Thinking
“A system is a way of looking at the world.”
“… a system, any system, is the point of
view of one or several observers.”
Gerald M. Weinberg (1975),
An Introduction to General Systems Thinking
62
PICARD Theory of Systems
Parts
Interactions
Context
Actions
Relationships
Destination
Holistic
Image of System =
From the Point of View of an Observer
63
The Seven Samurai of
Systems Engineering
Dealing with the Complexity
of 7 Interrelated Systems
Seeing the Whole System involves seeing more than
the System that SE traditionally deals with
64
Context
System
(S1)
Problem (P1)
• First, there is a Problem to be solved
• The Problem is part of the Context System
65
Context 1
Context 2
The
“Problem”
The
“Problem”
66
Context
System
(S1)
Problem (P1) Context System Elements
Pre-Existing “Solutions”
Physical Environment (air, land, sea)
Regulatory Environment (laws,
regulations, customs, ethics, stigmas)
Information (data, signals, noise)
Knowledge (information, knowledge,
wisdom, “best” practices)
Anti-Knowledge (misinformation, lies, stupidity)
Emotions (love, hate, delight, disappointment)
Aesthetics (elegance, beauty, cultural expectations)
But More Elements . . .
67
Context
System
(S1)
Problem (P1)
Intervention
System (S2)
intended to address
Systems Engineers try to
conceive of a way to
“suppress” the Problem
Intervention System
• This is usually the “System of Interest” that will be developed by your
project to solve a particular problem (or to meet the given requirements)
• Intervention
– Action taken to improve a situation
– The act of intervening
• Intervening
– to become involved in something (such as a conflict) in order to have
an influence on what happens
– to interfere with the outcome or course of events, especially of a
condition or process (as to prevent harm or improve functioning)
68
69
Context
System
(S1)
Problem (P1)
Intervention
System (S2)
intended to address
Transport people quickly
over long distances…
Collect images quickly
over entire earth…
Problems System
Solutions
Passenger Jet
Imagery Satellite
70
Realization
System (S3)
needs to understand
Context
System (S1)
Intervention
System (S2)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
The Intervention System must be:
Designed & Developed
Tested & Qualified
Produced & Deployed
71
Realization
System (S3)
needs to understand
Context
System (S1)
Intervention
System (S2)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
Airbus + Air France +
Airplane Standards + etc
Boeing + Suppliers +
US Gov’t + Regulations
+ Imaging Technology +
Physics Knowledge + etc
Realization Systems
Passenger Jet
Imagery Satellite
Intervention Systems
72
Realization
System (S3)
needs to understand
Context
System (S1)
Intervention
System (S2)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
• People & Organizations
• Facilities & Equipment
• Contracts & Financing
• Materials & Supplies
• Services & Utilities
• Policies & Procedures
• Processes & Methods
• Tools & Techniques
• Data & Information
• Knowledge & Wisdom
73
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
needs to understand
Deployed System is
often different from the
“as-designed” system
Deployed
System (S4)
becomes
74
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
needs to understand
Deployed
System (S4)
becomes
Boeing
747
• 747-100 s/n 345
• 747-200 s/n 678
• 747-419 s/n 321
• …
75
Modified Context
System (S1’)
becomes
needs to
understand
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
becomes
needs to understand
76
Deployed
System
77
78
79
80
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
intended to address
becomes
becomes
needs to understand
needs to
understand
Problem (P2)
may
cause
• Unanticipated?
• Unintended?
81
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
Problem (P2)
may
cause
intended to address
becomes
becomes
needs to understand
needs to
understand
Collaborating
System (S5)
collaborates
with
82
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
Problem (P2)
may
cause
Collaborating
System (S5)
collaborates
with
intended to address
becomes
becomes
needs to understand
needs to
understand
Sustainment
System (S6)
sustains
may need
to develop
or modify
83
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
Problem (P2)
may
cause
Collaborating
System (S5)
collaborates
with
intended to address
becomes
becomes
needs to understand
needs to
understand
Sustainment
System (S6)
sustains
may need
to develop
or modify
1. Logistics Supply Chain
2. Repair Depot
3. Customer Hotline
4. Energy & Fuel Suppliers
5. Waste Removal
6. Communications
7. Training & Education
8. Food & Water
84
Context
System (S1)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
becomes
Competing
System (S7)
may address
competes
with
85
Context
System (S1)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Problem (P1)
becomes
Competing
System (S7)
may address
competes
with
1. Competitor’s System
2. Homegrown Solutions
3. Status Quo (“do nothing”)
Other Solutions
1. Fuel & Energy
2. Scarce Materials
3. Trained & Educated People
4. Psychological Expectations
5. Limited Attention Span
Shared Resources
86
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Competing
System (S7)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Sustainment
System (S6)
Problem (P1)
Problem (P2)
may
cause
Collaborating
System (S5)
collaborates
with
intended to address
becomes
may address
competes
with
becomes
sustains
may need
to develop
or modify
needs to understand
needs to
understand
The 7
Samurai
The Seven Samurai
Context System (S1)
Intervention System (S2)
Realization System (S3)
Deployed System (S4)
Collaborating System (S5)
Sustainment System (S6)
Competing System (S7)
87
88
Context
System (S1)
Realization
System (S3)
Intervention
System (S2)
Competing
System (S7)
Modified Context
System (S1’)
Deployed
System (S4)
Sustainment
System (S6)
Problem (P1)
Problem (P2)
may
cause
Collaborating
System (S5)
collaborates
with
intended to address
becomes
may address
competes
with
becomes
sustains
may need
to develop
or modify
needs to understand
needs to
understand
15 Interactions
1. Context System (S1) contains a Problem (P1)
2. Intervention System (S2) is intended to address P1
3. Realization System (S3) brings S2 into being
4. S2 is a constituent of S3
5. S3 needs to understand S1
6. S3 needs to understand the Modified Context System (S1’)
7. S3 may need to develop or modify the Sustainment System (S6)
8. Intervention System (S2) becomes Deployed System (S4)
9. S1 becomes the Modified Context System (S1’)
10. S4 is contained in (and interacts with) S1’
11. S4 collaborates with one or more Collaborating Systems (S5)
12. S4 is sustained by Sustainment System (S6)
13. S4 may cause new Problem (P2)
14. Competing System(s) (S7) may address the original Problem (P1)
15. S7 competes with S4 for resources & user/operator attention
89
Systems engineers focus too much on one system —the
Intervention System
Should use this as a framework to encourage true “Systems”
Thinking
The 7 Samurai frame-work can lead to more Holistic
application of
SE methods and tools
What Now?
Conclusions
• Systems Thinking is hard…
• But it is made easier with good tools
and methods…
• That are enabled by good systems
principles and concepts
90