This book describes the fundamental principles of systems science so engineers and other scholars can put them into practical use at work and in their personal lives. Systems science aims to determine systemic similarities among different disciplines and to develop applicable solutions in many fields of inquiry.
Systems Science for Engineers and Scholars readers will discover: - Ten systems science principles that open engineers’ and scholars’ horizons to practical insights related to their areas of interest - A methodology for designing holistic systems that exhibit resilient behavior to overcome systems’ context uncertainties - The most critical current dilemma of humankind - the global environment and energy crises, as well as a systemic, no-nonsense action plan to deal with these issues - Independent articles describing how engineers and scholars can utilize systems science creatively in (1) engineering and systemic psychology; (2) delivering value and resolving conflicts; (3) multi-objective, multi-agent decision-making; (4) systems engineering using category theory; (5) holistic risk management using systems of systems failures methodology; and (6) systemic accident and mishap analysis
Systems Science for Engineers and Scholars contains a broad spectrum of insights as well as an extensive set of examples and graphics that make it ideal for professionals and students interested in a holistic, systems-oriented approach.
Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Part I Facets of Systems Science and Engineering 1
1 Introduction to Systems Science 3
1.1 Foreword 3
1.2 Critical Humanity Challenge 9
1.3 Systems Science in Brief 10
1.4 Early Systems Pioneers 20
1.5 Recommended Books on Systems Science 23
1.6 Systems Science: Criticisms and Responses 24
1.7 Bibliography 28
2 Principles of Systems Science (Part I) 30
2.1 Introduction 30
2.2 Universal Context 31
2.3 Systems Boundary 38
2.4 Systems Hierarchy 43
2.5 Systems Interactions 49
2.6 Systems Change 55
2.7 Bibliography 66
3 Principles of Systems Science (Part II) 68
3.1 Introduction 68
3.2 Systems Input/Output 69
3.3 Systems’ Complexity 75
3.4 Systems Control 91
3.5 Systems Evolution 96
3.6 Systems Emergence 106
3.7 Bibliography 112
4 Systems Thinking 114
4.1 Introduction 114
4.2 Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinking 115
4.3 The Iceberg Model of Systems Thinking 118
4.4 Exploring Systems Thinking as a System 120
4.5 Barriers to Systems Thinking 121
4.6 Early Systems Thinking Pioneers 124
4.7 Bibliography 125
5 Systems Engineering 127
5.1 Introduction 127
5.2 Philosophy of Engineering 127
5.3 Basic Systems Engineering Concepts 142
5.4 Systems Engineering Deficiencies 148
5.5 Bibliography 162
6 Comparative Analysis - Two Domains 164
6.1 Introduction 164
6.2 A Case for Comparison 165
6.3 Structure and Function of a Computer Hard Drive (CHD) 166
6.4 Functional Correlations between the CHD and the DHD 170
6.5 Conclusions 177
6.6 Acknowledgments 178
6.7 Bibliography 178
Part II Holistic Systems Design 179
7 Holistic Systems Context 181
7.1 Introduction 181
7.2 Rethinking the Context of the System 181
7.3 Components of Systems Context 182
7.4 Bibliography 191
8 Example: UAV System of Interest (SoI) 192
8.1 Introduction 192
8.2 Example: UAV System 193
8.3 Bibliography 203
9 Example: UAV Context (Part I) 204
9.1 Introduction 204
9.2 UAV Context: Natural Systems 205
9.3 UAV Context: Social Systems 209
9.4 UAV Context: Research Systems 210
9.5 UAV Context: Formation Systems 217
9.6 UAV Context: Sustainment Systems 221
9.7 UAV Context: Business Systems 224
9.8 UAV Context: Commercial Systems 227
9.9 Bibliography 235
10 Example: UAV Context (Part II) 236
10.1 Introduction 236
10.2 UAV Context: Financial Systems 237
10.3 UAV Context: Political Systems 241
10.4 UAV Context: Legal Systems 246
10.5 UAV Context: Cultural Systems 248
10.6 UAV Context: Biosphere Systems 256
10.7 Bibliography 258
Part III Global Environment and Energy: Crisis and Action Plan 261
11 Global Environment Crisis 263
11.1 Introduction 263
11.2 Climate Change 267
11.3 Biodiversity Loss 279
11.4 Bibliography 290
12 Systemic Environment Action Plan 292
12.1 Introduction 292
12.2 Sustaining the Earth’s Environment 292
12.3 Sustaining Human Society 304
12.4 Bibliography 316
13 Global Energy Crisis 318
13.1 Introduction 318
13.2 Current Global Energy Status 318
13.3 Energy Return on Investment (EROI) 321
13.4 Renewable Energy 325
13.5 Fossil Fuel Energy 332
13.6 Conventional Fission Reaction Energy 334
13.7 Bibliography 335
14 Systemic Energy Action Plan 337
14.1 The Global Energy Dilemma 337
14.2 Renewable Energy Action Plan 338
14.3 Fossil Fuel Energy Action Plan 339
14.4 Cars and Trucks Action Plan 340
14.5 Fission Reaction Energy Action Plan 341
14.6 Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Action Plan 341
14.7 Fusion Nuclear Energy Action Plan 347
14.8 Bibliography 354
Part IV More Systems Science for Engineers and Scholars 355
15 Engineering and Systemic Psychology 357
15.1 Introduction 357
15.2 Schema Theory 357
15.3 Cognitive Biases 360
15.4 Systems Failures 363
15.5 Cognitive Debiasing 370
15.6 Bibliography 375
16 Delivering Value and Resolving Conflicts 376
16.1 Introduction 376
16.2 Delivering Systems Value 377
16.3 Conflict Analysis and Resolution 383
16.4 Bibliography 390
17 Multi-objective Multi-agent Decision Making 391
17.1 Introduction 391
17.2 Utility-Based Rewards 392
17.3 Representation of the Decision Process 392
17.4 Key Types of Decision Processes 394
17.5 Example 1: Wolves and Sheep Predation 398
17.6 Example 2: Cooperative Target Observation 402
17.7 Example 3: Seaport Logistics 404
17.8 Bibliography 409
18 Systems Engineering Using Category Theory 410
18.1 Introduction 410
18.2 The Problem of Multidisciplinary, Collaborative Design 411
18.3 Category Theory in Systems Engineering: A Brief Background 413
18.4 Example: Designing an Electric Vehicle 414
18.5 Category Theory (CT) as a System Specification Language 421
18.6 Categorical Multidisciplinary Collaborative Design (C-MCD) 430
18.7 The C-MCD Categories 432
18.8 The Categorical Design Process 444
18.9 Conclusion 446
18.10 Acknowledgment 447
18.11 Bibliography 447
19 Holistic Risk Management Using SOSF Methodology 448
19.1 Introduction 448
19.2 Limitations of Current Risk Management Practices 449
19.3 Features of SOSF 450
19.4 Top-Level SOSF Actions 454
19.5 Example 1: Holistic Risk Management and Failure Classes 456
19.6 Example 2: Synthetic SOSF Risk Management 464
19.7 Description of Typical ACP Systems 469
19.8 Conclusion 470
19.9 Acknowledgment 470
19.10 Bibliography 470
20 Systemic Accidents and Mishaps Analyses 472
20.1 Introduction to Accident Causation Models 472
20.2 Basic Accident, Incidents, and Mishap Concepts 472
20.3 Classification of Accident Causation Models 474
20.4 Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Process (STAMP) 475
20.5 Causal Analysis System Theory (CAST) 480
20.6 CAST Procedure 480
20.7 CAST Example: CH-53 Helicopters Mid-Air Collision 482
20.8 Bibliography 491
Appendix-A: Distinguished Systems Science Researchers 493
Appendix-B: Distinguished Systems Thinking Researchers 496
Appendix-C: Permissions to Use Third-Party Copyright Material 498
Appendix-D: List of Acronyms 515
Index 524
