MIS 444 Information Resource Management

1. MIS 444 Information Resource Management Ahituv, Neumann, & Riley Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

2. A System • Set of interdependent components that create a whole • Components are dynamically linked • Purpose sets a boundary, which distinguishes system from its environment • Systems approach concerned with whole, but does not neglect parts • Suboptimization: optimizing components does not always optimize system • Synergy: whole more than sum of parts Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

3. Activities of the Systems Approach • Define the [real] problem • Gather data • Identify alternative solutions • Evaluate alternative solutions • Select the “best” alternative • Implement and monitor the solution Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

4. Scope of Systems • Goals (short-term) and purposes (long-term) • Efficiency: right way • Effectiveness: right thing • Inputs • Outputs • Boundaries, interfaces, and environment • Components and interrelationships: black box view • Constraints Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

5. Classification of Systems • Natural vs. human-made • Abstract vs. concrete • Closed vs. open • Deterministic, probabilistic, random • Human, machine,human/machine • Adaptive vs. non-adaptive • Simple vs. complex • Open-loop vs. closed-loop • Organizations and information systems: open, adaptive, closed-loop, human-made, human/machine, concrete, complex, social, and probabilistic Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

6. Control • System and system’s outputs • Compare findings with standard • Take corrective action that changes inputs, structure of the system, or objectives Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

7. Control, cont’d. ControlledSubsystem Sensingsignals CorrectiveSignals ControlSubsystem Feedback loop Ch. 4: The Systems Approach

8. Criteria for Making Network Choices • Reliability, availability, and maintainability • Compatibility • Flexibility and extendibility • Simplicity • Capacity • Response Time • Security • Cost