Defining a system

[wayne.mack@pec.com]

Here is how Dr. Deming defined a system in "The New Economics," Second Edition, page 50.

"What is a system?  A system is a network of interdependent components that work together to try to accomplish the aim of the system.  A system must have an aim.  Without an aim, there is no system.  The aim of the system must be clear to everyone in the system.  The aim must include plans for the future.  The aim is a value judgment.  (We are of course talking here abount a man-made system.)"

I would suggest we accept the previous as the definition of a system, and discuss clarifications of what this means and implies.

Some questions I have are:
1) Can a component belong to more than one system?
2) Does a system have inputs and outputs?
3) Does a system ignore its inputs and outputs?
4) Does every component listed in the aim belong to the system?
5) Does every component of the system need to be listed in the aim?

I hope we can accept Dr. Deming's defintion for a system and only propose any other definitions if there is something found lacking in the current one.  That would allow us to concentrate on what the implications of a system are.

Wayne Mack
Message posting through the Clemson CQI Web Server.