Applied Systems Analysis: Science and Art of Solving Real-Life Problems (Advanced Research in Reliability and System Assurance Engineering)

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Author
Introduction: How Appeared the Systems Analysis
Part I: Systems Thinking: Four Basic Concepts of Applied Systems Analysis
	Chapter 1 The Problem and Methods of Its Solution
		1.1 Problem-Solving Options
		1.2 Ways to Influence the Subject
		1.3 Intervention in Reality
		1.4 Three Types of Ideologies
		1.5 Is Improving Intervention Feasible?
		1.6 Four Types of Improving Interventions
		1.7 More about Applied Systems Analysis
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 2 The Concept of the System
		2.1 Static Properties of the System
		2.2 Dynamic Properties of the System
		2.3 Synthetic Properties of the System
		2.4 Conclusion (systems picture of the world)
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 3 Models and Modeling
		3.1 Modeling Is an Integral Part of Any Activity
		3.2 Analysis and Synthesis as Model Building Methods
		3.3 What Is a Model?
		3.4 Analytical Approach to the Concept of a Model
		3.5 Classification is the Simplest Abstract Model of the Diversity of Reality
		3.6 Artificial and Natural Classifications
		3.7 Real Models
		3.8 Synthetic Approach to the Concept of a Model
		3.9 The Concept of Adequacy
		3.10 The Coherence of the Model with the Culture
		3.11 Hierarchy of Models
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 4 Control
		4.1 Analytical Approach: Five Components of Control
		4.2 Stage of Finding the Desired Control Action
		4.3 Synthetic Approach to Control: Seven Types of Control
		4.4 Summary
		Questions and Tasks
	Part I: References
Part II: Systems Practice: Technology of Applied Systems Analysis
	Chapter 5 Technology of Applied Systems Analysis
		5.1 Operations of Systems Analysis
		5.2 About Various Options for Solving Problems
			5.2.1 Stage One. Fixation of the Problem and Problem Situation
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.2 Stage Two. Diagnosing Problems
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.3 Stage Three. Making a List of Stakeholders
				5.2.3.1 Difficulties in Compiling a List of Stakeholders
				5.2.3.2 Tips to Facilitate the Work
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.4 Stage Four. Revelation of the Problem Mess
				5.2.4.1 Technologies for Identifying the Mess
				5.2.4.2 Structuring the Mess
				5.2.4.3 Participation of Stakeholders in the Analysis
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.5 Stage Five. Definition of Configurator
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.6 Stage Six. Revelation of Stakeholders’ Purposes
				5.2.6.1 Danger of Substitution of Targets
				5.2.6.2 The Danger of Mixing Goals and Means
				5.2.6.3 The Danger of Incomplete Enumeration of Goals
				5.2.6.4 The Danger of Not Being Able to Express a Goal
				5.2.6.5 Peculiarities of Identifying the Goals of the Organization
				5.2.6.6 Techniques of Work with Goals
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.7 Stage Seven. Definition of Criteria
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.8 Stage Eight. Experimental Study of Systems
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.9 Stage Nine. Building and Improving Models
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.10 Stage Ten. Generating Alternatives
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.11 Stage Eleven. Choice or Decision-Making
				5.2.11.1 An Overview of the Most Common Situations of Choice and the Decision-Making Methods Used in Various Cases
			Questions and Tasks
			5.2.12 Stage Twelve. Implementation of Improving Intervention
			Questions and Tasks
	Part II: References
Part III: Brief Review of Results of Systemology in the 20th Century
	Chapter 6 The Current Stage of Development of Systems Thinking: The Transition from the Ideology of the Machine Age to the Ideology of the Systems Age
		6.1 Initial Ideas about the Structure of the Universe
		6.2 The Peculiarity of the Human System: The Culture of the Subject as “Second Nature”
		6.3 The Development of the Model of the Universe: A Paradigm Shift
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 7 Elements of Systems Statics
		7.1 Integrity (Combined with Openness, Functionality, Expediency, and Emergence)
		7.2 Openness (Combined with Feasibility and Functionality)
		7.3 Distinctiveness of Parts (in Combination with Functionality and Purposefulness)
		7.4 Structuredness (in Combination with the Internal Heterogeneity of the System, its openness, Functionality, Emergence, and Purposefulness)
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 8 Elements of Systems Dynamics
		8.1 Functionality (in Conjunction with structuring, Purposefulness, and Stimulating)
		8.2 Stimulation (in combination with internal heterogeneity, structuring, functionality, and purposefulness)
		8.3 System Variability Over Time (in combination with internal heterogeneity, structuring, functioning, and development of the system)
		8.4 Factors Determining the Behavior of Systems
			8.4.1 Flows and Stocks of Resources
			8.4.2 Qualitative Models of Complex Systems Dynamics: Archetypes of Behavior
			8.4.3 On Mathematical Modeling of Dynamics of Complex Systems. Synergetics
				8.4.3.1 Order and Chaos in Nature
				8.4.3.2 Attractors
				8.4.3.3 Fractals
		Questions and Tasks
	Chapter 9 Elements of Complexity Theory
		9.1 Formation of the Concept of Complexity. Range of Difficulties
		9.2 Classification of the Complexity Types
			9.2.1 Classification According to the Degree of Objective Complexity in the Behavior of the Controlled Object
			9.2.2 Complexity Classification of Types of Models of the Managed System
				9.2.2.1 The Complexity Caused by the Large Dimension of the Composition Model
				9.2.2.2 The Complexity Caused by the Inadequacy of the Structure Model
				9.2.2.3 The Complexity Caused by Incomplete Information in the Combined Operating Model of the Managed System
				9.2.2.4 The Complexity Produced by Probabilistic Uncertainty
				9.2.2.5 The Complexity Associated with “Vague” Uncertainty
		Questions and Tasks
		9.3 Conclusion
	Part III: References
Index