I hope I don’t bore you with this, but when I tweet about systems engineering, I get some curious replies and even curiouser DMs!!
A “system,” according to the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), is a set of elements that interact with each other to achieve specific objectives or functions. Understanding this concept is crucial in software and systems engineering as it is the foundation for designing and effectively building large-scale systems.
A system consists of three main things:
- Components: These are the individual parts or entities within the system. In software systems, elements can include hardware components like servers, networking equipment, software modules, and databases.
- Interactions: Systems are defined by the way these elements or components interact with each other. Interactions can be physical, like data flows between hardware components, or logical, like communication protocols in software systems.
- Purpose: A system exists to fulfill specific objectives or functions. In software engineering, this could mean providing a web service, managing a database, or automating a business process.
Some Systems Are Mostly Software
- E-commerce System: An online shopping platform that consists of web servers, a database, payment processing components, and user interfaces. The interactions involve users browsing, selecting products, adding them to a cart, and making payments.
- Air Traffic Control System: This complex system manages the movement of aircraft in airspace and on the ground. It comprises radar systems, communication networks, software for tracking aircraft, and human operators. Interactions include aircraft tracking and communication between controllers and pilots.
- Hospital Information System: A healthcare system that integrates electronic health records (EHRs), medical devices, and administrative tools to manage patient data, appointments, and medical history. Interactions involve storing and retrieving patient information and scheduling appointments.
But sometimes…
Some Systems are Mostly People!
- Economic System: An economic system is a non-software example that involves elements such as businesses, consumers, financial institutions, and government policies. Interactions within this system encompass the exchange of goods and services, monetary transactions, and economic regulations. The objective is to allocate resources efficiently and promote economic growth.
- Human Body: The human body is a biological system comprised of organs, tissues, and cells. These elements interact through processes like digestion, circulation, and neural signaling. The purpose is to maintain homeostasis and ensure the survival and well-being of the individual.
- Educational System: In an educational system, elements include students, teachers, curriculum, and educational facilities. Interactions involve teaching, learning, assessment, and administrative processes. The system’s objective is to impart knowledge and skills to students effectively.
I only bring this up because when I first started studying SE, I had my “software developer blinders” on, and when I opened my eyes (and mind), I started seeing systems everywhere.
Systems Are Everywhere
All I’m asking is that you start to see the systems in your life.
Examine them, identify the components, their interactions, and what the system produces.
Think about how the individual components could be improved and interactions more efficient.
Can you identify weaknesses or vulnerabilities? How would you make the system more secure?
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