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Systems Science for Engineers and Scholars. Edition No. 1

  • Book

  • 544 Pages
  • February 2024
  • John Wiley and Sons Ltd
  • ID: 5916622
Brings a powerful toolkit to bear on engineering and scientific endeavors.

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

Authors

Avner Engel Tel-Aviv University.