Systems

A system is a group of interconnected parts working together to accomplish a task. Systems can be natural or human-made. Natural systems include the water cycle, the cardiovascular system, and the planetary system. Technological (human-made) systems include computer systems, highway systems, and sewage systems. Technological systems can be very simple like a pen or complex like the International Space Station. All technological systems can be analyzed using the "Universal Systems Model" which is depicted below.

Every technological system has the same basic inputs that are necessary to make technological systems:

1. Energy - energy is used by tools and machines to make products and even by people to design and create products and devices
2. Knowledge - humans use knowledge to solve problems
3. Materials - products and devices are made from materials
4. Money - workers must be paid, tools, machines, and materials bought, land must be bought, etc.
5. People - people create the technology
6. Time - designing, creating, marketing, distributing, selling, and repairing products and devices all take time
7. Tools & Machines - people use tools and machines to design, create, distribute, and repair products and devices

Processes use inputs to turn them into outputs. Processes differ from system to system. Below are some general processes. Each system on this site is analyzed using the universal systems model.

1. Management - Process of planning, controlling, directing, and organizing
2. Production - General areas for production processes include biotechnical, construction, energy & power, information & communication, manufacturing, transportation

Outputs are the product of running a system. Basic outputs are as follows:

1. Intended - the expected results from running the system (good & bad)
2. Unintended - unexpected results from running the system (things no one knew would happen)
3. Desired - the positive outcomes from running the system
4. Undesired - unwanted outcomes from running the system
   • Scrap - can be reused/recycled
   • Pollution - the introduction of contaminants to the environment that causes adverse change
   • Waste - cannot be reused/recycled

Feedback provides information that can be used to make adjustments to the system to control the outputs. Feedback comes in two forms:

1. Open-Loop - in this type of feedback system, feedback comes from the user or operator of the system (i.e. - riding a bike, the person on the bicycle, the bike will not tell the rider that s/he is about to ride into a busy intersection and must stop. This must be determined by the rider being observant)
2. Closed-Loop - in this type of system, feedback is built into the system (i.e. - check engine light in a car or an error message on your computer)

Areas of The Designed World

The following areas of the designed world can be analyzed using the Universal Systems Model. Each link will take you to a breakdown of the area using the Universal Systems Model.

• Biotechnical
• Communication & Information
• Construction
• Energy & Power
• Manufacturing
• Transportation