System Integration

Dedicated to the dissemination of System Integration information

I have two definitions of the term ‘System’; one is related to an actual designed entity, i.e. what we would traditionally think of as a system, e.g. a motor car, a missile, something which humans use to perform a task.

 

The other definition is related to what could be called the ‘work system’, the environment, in which the system is produced.

 

Neither of the definitions is what you would call ‘academic’, i.e. you couldn’t enter it as the answer to a question in an exam, but I hope it conveys the meaning.

 

Designed entity system: -

 

A collection of sub-systems that communicate in some manner and are thus organized as a whole.  The purpose of the system is different to the purposes of each individual sub-system and has an overall objective.

 

Work system: -

 

The environment within which work is carried out.  This should take account of all the information and tools that are directly related to the work and also the factors that indirectly related to how work is carried out.   

 

 

In my experience particular attention should be paid to the indirect factors as these are what usually cause the problems.  The system will be engineered by people with a lot of technical knowledge and it often the indirect factors that cause the problems, e.g. lack of basic tools, people off work sick, peoples drive and commitment etc.

 

 

Definition of ‘System’