System Isomorphies and Processes
Curt McNamara, P.E.
MCAD, Biomimicry Institute
Abstract
The search for a general theory of systems has had many branches. One that has been fruitful is the search for the fundamental isomorphies that are found across varied natural systems and differing system levels. The basic idea is that if natural systems (the main focus of our working group) have used these processes across billions of years and trials, we human engineers could use them too. Prof. Len Troncale has been working in this area for many decades, and his current work looks at the fundamental set of system processes, and how they are connected to one another. These connected isomorphies explain complex systems, are proven by science evidence and provide more detailed knowledge of how systems work or don't work (SPT-Systems Pathology). So SPT relates directly to the purposes of the NSWG, SE, and the SSWG (as well as CxSWG/SoSWG). Please join us for an overview of this approach or framework, and of Prof. Troncale’s work.
Biography
Curt McNamara is a practicing design and systems engineer, as well as an educator. He received a BEE from the University of Minnesota in 1988, and a Masters of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Portland State University in 2005. Curt teaches systems, innovation, and Buckminster Fuller at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He is a licensed engineer in the state of Minnesota, received the IEEE Millennium Medal in 2000 for his ongoing work in education, and is a Biomimicry Education Fellow. He has written book chapters on systems for sustainable design, and on how teamwork can be guided by the principles of complex adaptive systems. Curt has also written numerous papers on biomimicry and systems.
The files for this presentation are on our dropbox site -- please contact nswg-info@incose.org for access.