Model-Based Systems Engineering with GENESYS

Approaches

A SYSTEM is a whole that cannot be divided into independent parts without losing its essential characteristics as a whole.

ANALYTIC THINKING applies an analytic method to separate a system down into its constituent parts. Analytic thinking attempts to explain the behavior of these parts, and then attempts to aggregate this understanding into an understanding of the whole

SYNTHETIC THINKING is a way of thinking about and designing a system that derives the properties and behavior of its parts from the functions required of the whole. Synthetic thinking provides better understanding of complex systems than analytical thinking does because the whole has properties that none of its parts have. SYSTEM THINKING considers problems and solutions in terms of how the interactions of the parts, and the parts with the whole and its environment, create the properties of the whole. Systems Engineers need to rethink their problem-solving approach in general and innovation in particular– this is system thinking. For further information on systems thinking see The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge and various publications from Russell Ackoff.

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