16-08-2012, 12:56 PM
System approach
System approach MIS unit 2.ppt (Size: 45 KB / Downloads: 23)
Four major concepts underlie the systems approach
Specialization: A system is divided into smaller components allowing more specialized concentration on each component.
Grouping: To avoid generating greater complexity with increasing specialization, it becomes necessary to group related disciplines or sub-disciplines.
Coordination: As the components and subcomponents of a system are grouped, it is necessary to coordinate the interactions among groups.
Emergent properties: Dividing a system into subsystems (groups of component parts within the system), requires recognizing and understanding the "emergent properties" of a system; that is, recognizing why the system as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Concept of black box
In system development, the concept of black box is used to simplify design work. Initially the process part of the system is left out; that is, the transformation process is assumed to be black box or unknown.
Open system vs close system
Some systems are open with respect to certain elements or processes (e.g., figure to the right). The elements or processes can flow into or out of the system. For example, an automobile engine is "open" with respect to gasoline--gasoline flows in and exhaust (oxidized gasoline) flows out.
Other systems are closed with respect to certain elements or processes (e.g., figure to the right). The elements or processes do not leave the system. For example, an automobile engine is largely "closed" with respect to lubricating oil--the oil does not leave the engine.
The value and cost of information
Information is a resource and has a cost for its acquisition and maintenance. For deciding on whether a particular information is to be acquired or not one has to know its value. The value of information is derived indirectly from the change in decision behaviour due to provision of information. The cost of information must be deducted from the gain to arrive at its value.
Data quality
MIS's assume that the information in the records is error-free although it is recognized that errors exist. These errors occur because of delays in processing times, lengthy correction times, and, overly or insufficiently stringent data edits.