Applying Systems Thinking to Engineering and Design

Abstract

The application of Systems Thinking principles to Systems Engineering is synergistic, resulting in superior systems, products, and designs. However, there is little practical information available in the literature that describes how this can be done. In this paper, we analyze 12 major Systems Engineering failures involving bridges, aircraft, submarines, water supplies, automobiles, skyscrapers, and corporations and recommend Systems Thinking principles, tools, and procedures that should be applied during the first few steps of the System Engineering design process to avoid such catastrophic Systems Engineering failures in the future.

A Systems Approach to Establishing an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Institute

“…Studies of complex system projects indicate that there is a correlation between investment in systems engineering and a reduction in program cost and schedule overruns [19]. If systems thinking is beneficial to the understanding and solving of complex problems and systems engineering can improve project performance on the development of complex systems, then it is reasonable to assume that the application of synergistic systems thinking and systems engineering to the creation of a new organization focused on the development, maturation and commercialization of advanced manufacturing technologies would bring about a successful result [20].…”

“…Significant components of systems thinking are a focus on the whole process, consideration of the issues, evaluating the factors and influences, and the inclusion of patterns, relationships and common understanding in the review and analysis [22]. Systems thinking is an all-inclusive approach that focuses on understanding the interconnections of the system components [20]. Senge states that systems thinking is a conceptual framework and body of knowledge that provides a rigorous way of integrating people, purpose, process, and performance [23].…”

“…This definition does not only apply to cyber physical systems, but can easily be applied to organizations. Whether a cyber-physical system or an organization is the focus, systems engineering is the methodical, interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the development of a successful system [20,28]. Systems engineering involves using appropriate technologies and management principles to address the business and the technical needs of stakeholders with the goal of providing a resulting system that meets the user's needs [29,30].…”

Early Design Space Exploration with Model-Based System Engineering and Set-Based Design

“…An important note is to incorporate systems thinking when using this framework. As Monat and Gannon [9] point out, systems engineering is different from systems thinking. Incorporating systems thinking will help minimize engineering and design problems by using a holistic view that incorporates relationships [9].…”

Science literacy skills through the experience of project activities with assisted local potential based learning materials

“…An example in the structure-function framework that has been used to support and examine student systems thinking (Dauer & Dauer, 2016;Speth et al, 2014;Vattam et al, 2011). Known system thinking includes general systems thinking (systems thinking that shows the relationship between structure and function) and dynamic systems thinking (Arnold & Wade, 2015;Carey et al, 2015;Grohs, Krik, Soledad, & Knight, 2018;Monat & Gannon, 2018.…”