System Diagrams

System: when multiple items work together to accomplish a task

Open - Loop System: a system that has an Input (Desired Product), a Process (means of producing that product), and an Output (Actual Product) but does not have a method of comparing the Output to the Input

Closed - Loop System: a system that has all the components of an Open - Loop System plus a means of monitoring and comparing the Output (Product) to the Input (Desired product) and making adjustments when needed.

Input : Desired result or product of a system

Process: The part of the system that produces the product using the 7 resources of technology (Capital, Energy, Information, Materials, People, Tool and machines, and time.

Output: the actual product made by the system, it does not have to be tangible

Monitor: part of the closed-loop system that evaluates the output (product)

Compare & Adjust: part of the closed-loop system that compares the output (product) to the Input (desired product and making necessary changes to the process in needed.