The Systems Approach – A Narrative Description

Starting Point: An actual, or proposed, process (= “system”)

What is the objective?

• What is the measure of success?
• What is the expected level of performance?

Is the objective itself only a means to a higher end? (repeat until the answer is No)

• Yes ==> What is the objective?
• No ==> Continue

What are the assumptions being made?

• Factual Assumptions: X is the case
• Causal Assumptions: If X then Y

Are the assumptions correct?

• No ==> Revise the system
• Yes ==> Continue

Design the system (for systems being proposed)

• Have all the relevant factors been considered? (Look at the larger picture)
• Are all the components working together?
• How structured are they? How structured can they be made?

[If the system does not currently exist and is being proposed, implement it.]

................... post implementation ....................

What data needs to be collected to produce the right information (i.e., to measure the success of the system)? Collect and store it.

What is the process of converting the data into the information? Produce the information.

Does the actual level of performance match (or exceed) the expected level of performance?

• Yes ==> Success - The system is working!
• No ==> Failure. The system is not working. Continue

Diagnose what went wrong, and decide what to do.

• Hypothesize reasons for failure
• Collect data to test the hypotheses
• Formulate strategies for revising the system
• Select the optimal strategy
• Revise the system

Continue until ...

Ending Point: Success - The system is working!