Characteristics of Systems

A system's parts must all be present for the system to carry out its purpose optimally.

A system's parts must be arranged in a specific way for the system to carry out its purpose.

Systems have specific purposes within larger systems.

Systems maintain their stability through fluctuations and adjustments.

Systems have feedback.

The structure of systems is defined by the interrelationships of the parts (subsystems), not the parts themselves.

To define a system you look at

Events

        What happens

Patterns: trends or changes in events over time

        What happens over time

        Measure or track events

        Learn how to anticipate the events

Structure: what is causing the patterns

        Why did the events happen

        Look at the causality

        Creative problem solving

        How to shape the events in the future

Principles of Systems Thinking

Think in the big picture

Balance short term and long term perspectives

Recognize the dynamic, complex and interdependent nature of systems

Take into account both measurable and nonmeasurable factors

When we study systems, we influence the systems

        Unintended consequences

        Assumptions

        Values and beliefs