System Thinking: How does it work?

System Thinking is a way of understanding how technology or a system works. This skill can also be applied with developing systems or subsystems of technologies.

_________________________________________________

System: A group of parts working together in a predictable way, designed to achieve a goal.

Predictable= Expected, Unsurprising, knowable

Designed= calculated, Planned, Deliberate

Subsystem: A group of independent but interrelated elements comprising a unified whole. A set of elements, which is a system itself, and a component of a larger system.

Interrelated= Organized, Interconnected, unified

Component= Part, Element, or Piece

_________________________________________________

To get in this "System Thinking" mindset, here are some common questions that you may ask when looking at a system or complex piece of technology.

*A general example (Ice Cube Maker Example) is in Blue

1. What are the inputs?

   • What all is needed to create, operate, use, or maintain this system?

     • Water, Electricity, Temperature, Materials, time.

2. What are the processes?

   • What exactly is occurring throughout this system?

     • Electricity powers the freezer, which lowers the temperature. A valve lets in a set amount of water into the ice tray. The water cools and freezes. When the ice maker senses that the water is frozen, the ice maker rotates out the ice cubes into a storage bin. This process repeats.

3. What are the outputs?

   • What comes out of this system or what is given?

     • Ice cubes come out of the system. Water is some times produced during the defrost mode. Noise is also produced when the ice machine rotates out the ice cubes into the storage bin. Emissions from the use of electricity can also be considered an output.

4. Does it have storage?

   • Is something stored in this system?

     • Water is temporarily storing water until it becomes ice. Ice cubes are also being stored. The entire freezer can be considered a storage unit since it stores the ice maker and frozen foods.

5. How does feedback occur?

   • What makes the changes in inputs, processes, outputs, etc, in the system?

     • There is a sensor that monitors the water level and controls how much water goes into the ice tray. There is also a sensor that can tell when the water turns to ice. The freezer thermostat controls the temperature in the freezer. A switch (bar) in the ice cube storage tray can tell when the ice maker needs to produce more ice.

6. What are the main components?

   • What are the important parts that this system needs to function properly?

     • Water Inlet Control Valve, Water inlet hose or pipe, the freezer, the ice tray, ice cube storage tray.

7. Does it have any safeguards?

   • If something starts to go wrong, is there anything to keep it from getting worst, damaging something, or hurting someone? (Note: If you can not identify any, identify the need for one!)

     • There is a bar that keeps the ice cube maker from making too much ice. The thermostat helps to keep the freezer at the correct temperature. Some freezers have alarms when the temperature drops.

       • There should be a water sensor that detects water overflow and shuts off the water to freezer. There should also be a "low water pressure" sensor/warning light.

8. What maintenance is needed?

   • Are there things that need to be done to make sure this system is functioning properly and fail?

     • Sometimes the ice tray/ freezer needs to be defrosted and thawed out. The Ice tray can be cleaned also. The water pressure can be checked periodically.

9. What are some easy ways to troubleshoot?

   • When the system doesn't work correctly, what are the first things you want to check? (Note: Identify the symptom and possible solutions)

     • If the ice cubes are hollow or small, check the water pressure by disconnecting the water line before the valve and spraying it into a bucket. If water pressure is not an issue, the water control inlet valve could be clogged or malfunctioning. The water hose inside the freezer may be clogged/ frozen and can be thawed with a hair dryer. If the water is not freezing, check the temperature in the freezer.

Check out this Graphic on how a Garbage Disposal Works using this same "9 question strategy".

_________________________________________________

How does it work??

This link allows you to access multiple videos that explain how common household technologies work.