SYSTEM (Controlled)
Charles François (2004). SYSTEM (Controlled), International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics, 2(2): 3348.
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 3348 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
According to B. BANATHY, (rigidly) controlled systems offers the following characteristics: “… they are rather closed and have only limited and well guarded interactions with their environments. These types are restricted, have few components and operate usually not more than two levels of decision making. They are unitary in purpose with clearly defined goals and behave mechanistically” (1988, p.29).
- “… Operational objectives and ways and means of operation are clearly prescribed; there is little or no room for self-direction at the operating levels.
- “… Rigid structure and well defined stable relationships are established among the various system components, with little systems dynamics and only minor changes over time…
- “Methods that might be appropriate include: deterministic methods that rely on quantification and mathematical representations and simulations, problem focused operational research methods, certain systems engineering methods, linear systems analysis, etc.” (Ibid).
BANATHY gives as examples: “man-machine systems, assembly line work groups, primitive socio-economic systems” (Ibid). These latter are generally strongly ritualized and thus offer a very restricted frame for activity.