Systems Approach To Management

Summary

This script introduces the concept of systems, highlighting its origin in the 1960s and its roots in physical sciences. It explains that systems consist of interrelated and interdependent parts, using examples like the human body, school, and family. The script differentiates between open and closed systems, with North Korea as an example of the latter. It emphasizes the importance of inputs, processes, and outputs in systems, and how they affect each other. The role of a manager in an organizational system is also discussed, stressing the need for coordination and integration to ensure the system functions effectively. The script concludes by stressing the interconnectedness of systems and the impact of decisions on the whole.

Takeaways

• 📚 The concept of systems approach originated in the 1960s, borrowed from physical sciences.
• 🧠 A system is a set of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to form a unified whole.
• 🌐 Open systems are those that interact dynamically with their environment, influenced by external factors.
• 🔒 Closed systems are rare and do not interact or are not influenced by the environment, exemplified by North Korea.
• 🔄 Inputs, processes, and outputs are interconnected within a system, influencing each other.
• 🍔 An example of a system is the human body, where inputs (food) are transformed into outputs (energy, fats), which ideally should feedback to change inputs.
• 👨‍💼 A manager's role in an organizational system is to coordinate and integrate the work activities of various parts to ensure smooth operation.
• 🔄 The output of a system can provide feedback to the input, which can enhance the process and overall system performance.
• ⚙️ The importance of coordination in an organization is emphasized, as decisions in one area can affect others.
• 🤔 The concept of viewing a system as a whole is crucial, as neglecting any part can impact the entire system's functionality.

Q & A

What is the concept of systems approach?

The systems approach is a concept that originated in the 1960s, borrowed from physical sciences, which views a system as a set of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to form a unified whole.

How is the human body an example of a system?

The human body is an example of a system where different parts like the eyes and brain are interrelated and interdependent; the eyes cannot function well without the brain, and similarly, other organs rely on each other for the body to function properly.

What are the two types of systems mentioned in the script?

The two types of systems mentioned are open systems, which dynamically interact with the environment, and closed systems, which do not interact or are not influenced by the environment.

Can you provide an example of a closed system from the script?

An example of a closed system given in the script is North Korea, where nothing goes in and nothing comes out, illustrating a system that is not influenced by or does not interact with the environment.

What are the three parts of an organizational system as depicted in the diagram?

The three parts of an organizational system are inputs, process, and output. Inputs affect the process, which in turn affects the output, and the output can provide feedback to the input.

How does the example of eating junk food illustrate the concept of system feedback?

The example of eating junk food shows that the body (the system) processes the food (input) and converts it into fat (output). Ideally, the presence of fat should act as feedback to change the eating habits (input), but in this case, it doesn't, illustrating a system where feedback is not effectively utilized.

What is the role of a manager in an organizational system?

A manager's role in an organizational system is to coordinate and integrate the work activities of the various parts of the organization, ensuring that the system runs smoothly by managing the quality of inputs, processes, and outputs.

Why is coordination within an organization essential according to the script?

Coordination within an organization is essential because everything in the system is interdependent. Decisions and actions in one area can affect other areas, so a manager must consider the entire system to ensure proper functioning.

What is the implication of a system being interdependent?

The implication of a system being interdependent is that changes or issues in a small part of the system can affect the entire system, emphasizing the need for comprehensive management and attention to every part of the system.

How does the script suggest one can become a good manager?

The script suggests that becoming a good manager involves understanding the system as a whole, ensuring all parts function well, and being able to coordinate and integrate various aspects of the organization effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Understanding Systems Approach

The paragraph introduces the concept of systems, which originated in the 1960s and was borrowed from physical sciences. A system is defined as a set of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to form a unified whole. Examples include the human body, where the eyes and ears rely on other organs like the brain and heart, and social structures like schools and families. The paragraph differentiates between open systems, which interact with the environment, and closed systems, which do not. It uses North Korea as an example of a closed system. The concept is further illustrated with a diagram showing the relationship between inputs, processes, and outputs within an open system. The example of the speaker's junk food consumption demonstrates how outputs can provide feedback to influence inputs, although not always effectively. The role of a manager in an organizational system is to ensure the smooth operation of the system by coordinating and integrating the various parts.

05:01

🔍 The Importance of System Coordination

This paragraph discusses the implications of the systems approach, emphasizing that because all parts of a system are interdependent, changes in one part can affect the entire system. It stresses the importance of coordination within an organization, as decisions and actions in one area can impact other areas. The paragraph uses the analogy of the human body, where neglecting a small part like a toe can affect overall body function. It concludes by highlighting the holistic view required for managing a system effectively and poses a question to the audience about their potential as managers, suggesting that while it's not easy, they can learn and improve through the tutorial.

Keywords

💡Systems Approach

The systems approach is a concept that views complex systems as a set of interrelated and interdependent parts that work together to form a unified whole. In the video, this concept is used to explain how various elements within a system, such as inputs, processes, and outputs, are interconnected. The approach originated in the physical sciences and is applied to understand the functioning of organizations, human bodies, and other complex entities. The video uses the example of the human body, where the eyes and ears depend on other parts like the brain and heart, to illustrate the interdependence within a system.

💡Open Systems

Open systems are systems that interact dynamically with their environment, being influenced by and influencing external factors. The video script explains that all organizations are open systems, as they are exposed to and interact with their surroundings. This is contrasted with closed systems, which do not interact with the environment. The concept is crucial for understanding how organizations must adapt to changes in their external environment to function effectively.

💡Closed Systems

Closed systems are those that do not interact with or are not influenced by their external environment. The video uses North Korea as an example of a closed system, where there is minimal to no exchange with the outside world. This concept is important for understanding the limitations and challenges that closed systems face, as they are not able to adapt to external changes or leverage external resources.

💡Inputs

Inputs refer to the elements or resources that enter a system and are processed to produce an output. In the video, the speaker uses the example of junk food as an input to the body system, which then processes it. Understanding inputs is essential for managing a system effectively, as they can significantly affect the system's processes and outputs.

💡Process

The process in a system refers to the mechanisms or activities that transform inputs into outputs. The video script describes the body's process of converting food into fats as an example. The concept of process is central to the systems approach, as it highlights how different parts of a system work together to achieve a specific outcome.

💡Outputs

Outputs are the results or consequences produced by a system after processing its inputs. In the video, the speaker mentions the fats on the body as an output of the process of consuming junk food. Outputs are important as they can provide feedback to the system, influencing future inputs and processes.

💡Feedback

Feedback in a system refers to the output's ability to influence future inputs and processes, thereby affecting the system's performance. The video script suggests that ideally, the output (fats on the hips) should act as feedback to change the input (eating habits). Feedback is a critical concept in systems thinking, as it enables continuous improvement and adaptation.

💡Interdependence

Interdependence within a system means that the parts of the system rely on each other for their functioning. The video emphasizes that in a system, everything from inputs to outputs is interdependent. This concept is illustrated through the example of the human body, where the eyes and ears rely on other body parts to function properly.

💡Manager's Role

The video script outlines the role of a manager in an organizational system as being responsible for coordinating and integrating the work activities of various parts of the organization. Managers ensure that the system runs smoothly by managing inputs, processes, and outputs. This role is crucial for the proper functioning of the entire organization, as it requires a holistic view of the system.

💡Coordination

Coordination is the process of organizing and synchronizing the various parts of a system to work together efficiently. The video script highlights the importance of coordination for the proper functioning of an organization, as decisions and actions in one area can affect other areas. Effective coordination is necessary to ensure that all parts of the system are working towards common goals.

💡Holistic View

A holistic view in systems thinking means considering the system as a whole rather than focusing on individual parts. The video script stresses the importance of looking at the system as a unified entity, where neglecting any part can affect the entire system's performance. This concept is illustrated by the analogy of the human body, where neglecting a small part like a toe can impact overall body function.

Highlights

The concept of systems approach originated in the 1960s.

A system is a set of interrelated and interdependent parts that form a unified whole.

Examples of systems include the human body, a school, and a family.

There are two types of systems: open and closed.

Open systems dynamically interact with the environment.

Closed systems do not interact with the environment, like North Korea as an example.

Organizations are open systems, influenced by the external environment.

A system consists of inputs, processes, and outputs that are interdependent.

The output of a system can provide feedback to the input, influencing changes.

An example of a personal system is eating junk food and the body's response.

In a perfect system, output affects the input and enhances the process.

A manager's role is to coordinate and integrate the work activities within an organizational system.

Managers must ensure the system runs smoothly with good inputs, processes, and outputs.

Interdependence in systems means changes in one part can affect the whole system.

Coordination of an organization's parts is essential for proper functioning.

Decisions in one area of an organization can impact other areas.

A manager must consider the entire system and not neglect any part.

The system approach emphasizes the importance of viewing the organization as a whole.

The potential of becoming a good manager is discussed, highlighting the challenges and importance of the role.

Transcripts

all right will now understand the

concept of systems the systems approach

now this is a concept originated in the

1960s before you and I were born it's a

concept borrowed from physical sciences

the system is a set of interrelated and

interdependent parts arranged in a

manner that produces a unified whole so

we are all in a system we are all

interrelated and interdependent for

example your human body is a system your

eyes cannot function well without your

brain your ears cannot function well

without your heart the school is a

system we teach us a useless if there

are no students and vice versa your

family is a system you rely on your

parents well at least for now so you see

we are all interrelated and

interdependent there are two types of

systems we have open systems these are

systems that dynamically interact with

the environment these are influenced by

the external environment all

organizations are open systems like all

of us we are exposed to open systems

there is also closed systems now this is

rare closed systems systems that are not

influenced or do not interact with the

environment let me give you an example

do you recognize this place have you

been there

North Korea I have not been there it's

hard to go there there are a closed

system nothing goes in there nothing

comes out from there so if you have a

chance you have any opportunity to go

there then maybe try at your own risk

the organization is a system an open

system take a look at this diagram in

this diagram we can see that there are

three parts so first we have the inputs

the inputs affect the process and the

process in terms in turn will affect the

output now the output has the power to

provide feedback such that the input can

make changes okay so let me just go

through it again in a system everything

is interrelated be the input the process

itself or the output they are

interdependent so perhaps I give you an

example to illustrate this I like to eat

junk food I eat things like ice cream

bubble tea fast food I like them so

that's something like my input I take

them into my body alright my body is the

system so my body upon consuming the

food it goes through a process of

transformation in this case it converts

the food that I eat to become fats maybe

fats on my body that's the output now

ideally the fats say the fats on my hips

should act as a feedback and change my

input change the way I eat

maybe I should eat less maybe I should

eat healthier food but sadly my body

isn't a perfect system like in this

diagram I still eat a lot of junk food

oh oh well in a perfect system the

output should affect the input and

enhance the whole process and

organization moving on a manager's job

in an organizational system would be to

coordinate and integrate the work

activities of the various parts of the

organization so basically a manager

needs to ensure that the system is

running that's their job

managers need to ensure that the inputs

are good the processes are right and the

output is good the system should run

smoothly as a whole if it's not then

they have to do something about it

so a system is good but what's the

implication well think if everything's

interdependent then if something happens

to say a small part of the system it's

going to affect the entire system so

coordination of the organization's parts

is essential for proper functioning of

the entire function decision and actions

taken in one area will have an effect on

other areas of the organization in this

case a manager needs to take care of the

whole system they cannot afford to

neglect any part of it it's like you

have to take care of every part of your

body if you neglect a small part say

your toe it might affect the way you

walk and that's gonna affect your entire

body function so that's a very important

concept that the system is a whole

unified thing that you have to look at

and not in peace new so do you think you

can be a good manager I hope so it's

certainly not easy but we'll get there

all right that's the end of the section

return to your tutorials to better

understand account the topics covered

I'll see you