{"id":711,"date":"2021-03-19T06:15:07","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T06:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trellisterium.de\/?p=711"},"modified":"2021-09-01T09:31:10","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T07:31:10","slug":"systemtheorie-chrashkurs-2-wie-funktionieren-systeme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trellisterium.de\/en\/systemtheorie-chrashkurs-2-wie-funktionieren-systeme\/","title":{"rendered":"Systems Theory – Crash Course #2: How do systems work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There is nothing more practical than a good theory.<\/h1>\n
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In the first part of this small series on systems theory<\/a>, we asked how a system becomes a system. Simplified: A system is a unit that contains several elements. The elements of a system are connected to each other. Sometimes more, sometimes less. So, today, let\u2019s turn our focus on the question:<\/p>\n

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How Do Systems Work \u2013 In General?<\/h1>\n
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Structure: <\/strong>The parts of a system are always<\/em> connected and\/or in a relationship with each other. <\/strong>And be it only the common \u201cshell\u201d or \u201couter skin\u201d that unites them. The network of connections and relationships are the structure<\/strong> of a system.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaterial<\/strong>\u201c: Connections and relationships are shaped solely by communications<\/strong>. (I know, that\u2019s a tough one, but bear with me.)<\/p>\n

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Organization: <\/strong>Systems continuously<\/em> organize their own structure. And they do so from within themselves. Systems create (survival) important elements and connections and at the same time ensure that existing parts stay alive. Threats are turned off and\/or repelled.<\/p>\n

Living\/developing\/existing: <\/strong>Systems ensure that at least they continue to exist or survive and \u2013 possibly \u2013 develop further (e.g. grow).<\/p>\n

Self-preservation is the primary (only) task: <\/strong>It is often said that systems tend to preserve themselves. This is not entirely true. And it is misleading. For one might think that systems also do other things. However, strictly speaking, systems do nothing<\/em> else. If they fail to do so, systems die or cease to exist.<\/p>\n

Exchange with environment: <\/strong>As they try to maintain themselves, (the vast majority of) systems also depend on exchange with their environment. This means that systems also help other systems to maintain themselves. But this is \u2013 IMPORTANT! \u2013 only a side effect. The better systems adapt to the environment and interact with it, the greater the chance of success and survival.<\/p>\n

Behavior<\/strong>: How systems behave depends on how the cause-and-effect relationships are set up internally, i.e. how structures and dependency relationships are organized.<\/p>\n

Types: <\/strong>There are simple, complicated, and complex systems (and any number of hybrid forms), each of which behaves differently (also situationally):<\/p>\n