Production and Operations Management Systems Chapter 1: Introduction

Taxonomy (Hierarchical Classification) of the Systems Approach

• The Eastern approach (Systemic) and the Western approach (Systematic). East and West differ but both have a common goal of including everything that counts.

Representation of a System

• Figure below is a symbolic picture of a system.
• The shape (or core) encloses all factors that have a strong effect on the purposes and goals of the system.
• Weak forces outside of the core may also have to be considered.
• Sometimes they may only seem to be weak.