4.3.1 Towards a Common Language for Systems Praxis

Abstract

Abstract. Systems praxis refers to the entire intellectual and practical endeavor of creating holistic solutions to complex system challenges. Systems approaches are designed to be integrative across traditional discipline and domain boundaries. However, multiple dimensions of complexity (social, technical, environmental, etc.) may require a blend of approaches and techniques from disparate systems traditions. Terminology for the various systems domains, scales, and types may appear similar; but assumptions underpinning worldview, culture, and success criteria are not necessarily shared. This paper documents progress towards an integrative framework that brings together concepts, principles, paradigms, and methods from the various communities involved in systems praxis. The notion of using a diagram to allow systems practitioners from different backgrounds to work together more effectively first arose at an April 2012 "Towards a Common Language for Systems Praxis" workshop, conducted as part of an IFSR Conversation. Follow-up work led to the Systems Praxis Framework diagram that provided a neutral "map" each community can use to explain its own narrative, worldview, and belief system, as well as to appreciate how the various worldviews and belief systems complement and reinforce each other within systems praxis.

Ontology Learning for Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge

“…In other words, SE still does not have a comprehensive, detailed knowledge representation that describes the concepts that domain experts agree upon, as well as their terms, definitions, and semantics. Although some initial effort has been made to reduce the miscommunication and misunderstanding between stakeholders by formalizing SE terminologies, there still lacks a cohesive knowledge representation to conceptualize the entire SE body of knowledge (Adcock et al, 2016;Di Maio, 2010;Martin et al, 2013). SE is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary knowledge process that contains complex problems that cannot be easily solved by traditional engineering paradigms.…”

“…As an evolving knowledge-based discipline that originated from the need for a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, SE has grown to become a recognized academic field of study that is inherently rooted in the application of knowledge-based systems for the management of complex projects. To date, much research has been conducted focusing on defining the common language, including basic concepts, and describing the behavior of the integrated relationships of a shared conceptualization of SE, which are commonly referred as ontologies for SE (Ernadote, 2015;Giachetti, 2015;Martin et al, 2013;Ring, 2002). Ontologies, an emerging means of knowledge representation and information technology, are lauded for providing explicit, formal, and shared specifications of a domain (Guarino, 1998(Guarino, , 1992Guarino and Giaretta, 1995).…”

Breaking Out: Systems Engineering To Go

“…The purpose here is to help practitioners see opportunities in non-traditional markets in a new way and enable communication with potential customers. There has already been excellent work in leveraging communication between systems practitioners in different areas (Martin et al, 2013) It is not the intent to repeat that work although its recommendations and observations are critical to success in these efforts.…”

“…Some suggestions regarding how to approach this situation are the main thrust of the paper.The purpose here is to help practitioners see opportunities in non-traditional markets and enable communication with potential customers. There has already been excellent work in leveraging communication between systems practitioners in different areas (Martin et al, 2013) It is not the object to repeat or expand on those but to focus on the practitioners themselves and how they see and interact with their new markets.…”

Automotive Interest Group: Industry Roundtable

“…he Systems Praxis Framework (http://www.systemspraxis.org/) is the outcome of the collaboration that started at the Linz "Conversation" hosted by the International Federation for Systems Research in April 2012 (Martin 2012). Noting that a paper on the Common Language for Systems Praxis project would be presented the next day at the INCOSE International Symposium in Philadelphia (Martin et al 2013), the chair invited the panellists to respond to the following challenges:…”