Scope of Systems - SEBOK (11)

Part 2 of the SEBoK contains a guide to knowledge about systems, which is relevant to a better understanding of SE. It does not try to capture all of this systems knowledge here; rather, it provides an overview of a number of key aspects of systems theory and practice especially relevant to SE. The organization of knowledge in Part 2 is based around the Praxis Framework. Indeed, the need to develop a clear guide to the underpinning knowledge of SE was one of the motivations behind the praxis framework. It is expected that the coverage of systems knowledge will be significantly increased in future versions of the SEBoK as this work progresses.

The diagram is divided into five sections, each describing how we have treated systems knowledge in the SEBoK.

1. The Systems Fundamentals Knowledge Area considers the question “What is a Systems? It explores the wide range of system definitions and considers open system, system types, groupings of systems, complexity, and emergence. All of these ideas are particularly relevant to engineered system and to the groupings of such systems associated with the systems approach applied to engineered systems (i.e. product system, service system, enterprise system and system of systems capability).

2. The Systems Science Knowledge Area presents some influential movements in systems science, including the chronological development of systems knowledge and underlying theories behind some of the approaches taken in applying systems science to real problems.

3. The Systems Thinking Knowledge Area describes key concepts, principles and patterns shared across systems research and practice

4. The Representing Systems with Models Knowledge Area considers the key role that abstract models play in both the development of system theories and the application of systems approaches.

5. The Systems Approach Applied to Engineered Systems Knowledge Area defines a structured approach to problem/opportunity discovery, exploration, and resolution, that can be applied to all engineered systems. The approach is based on systems thinking and utilizes appropriate elements of system approaches and representations. This KA provides principles that map directly to SE practice.

Systems Thinking is a fundamental paradigm describing a way of looking at the world. People who think and act in a systems way are essential to the success of both research and practice of system disciplines. In particular, individuals who have an awareness and/or active involvements in both research and practice of system disciplines are needed to help integrate these closely related activities.

The knowledge presented in this part of the SEBoK has been organized into these areas to facilitate understanding, the intention is to present a rounded picture of research and practice based on system knowledge. These knowledge areas should be seen together as a “system of ideas” for connecting research, understanding, and practice, based on system knowledge which underpins a wide range of scientific, management, and engineering disciplines and applies to all types of domains.