System

Definition

Designation for structures consisting of elements (parts, components) between which certain relationships exist or can be established. A distinction is made, for example, between

• technical systems whose elements consist of technical equipment and their links, e.g. space probe, IT unit consisting of PC and printer,
• social systems whose elements are exclusively people and their relationships, e.g. work team, sports team, choir,
• socio-technical systems (also referred to as "man-machine systems") whose elements are people and technical systems such as operating equipment, e.g. ship with crew, planner with PC. Work systems are typical of this type of system.
• System environment - term for all elements that do not belong to the system but have an influence on it, e.g. the influences from the workplace acting on a work system.