Introduction to Business Computing Notes
Introduction – Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) – mixture of computing and communications that characteristics our current technological environment.
Business Organisations
Systems and Systems Thinking
A system is a collection of interrelated components that function together to achieve some predefined purposes or objectives. A typical system usually had nine characteristics, as follows: 1. Component – A part of a system commonly referred to as a subsystem
2. Interrelated components - The dependency of one subsystem on one or more subsystems
3. Boundary – The line that marks the inside and outside of a system and that sets apart the system from its environment
4. Environment – everything external to the system that interacts with the system
5. Interfaces – Point of contact where a system meets its environment or where subsystems meet each other
6. Input – Whatever a system takes from its environment to fulfil its purpose
7. Output – Whatever a system returns to its environment in order to fulfil its purpose
8. Constraint – A limit or condition within which a system can accomplish its objectives
9. Stakeholders – Person(s) or organisation(s) that have a direct interest in the system
Two types of systems, open systems and closed systems are usually present in the real-world settings, depending on the relationship of the system with its environment. * Open System – Interact freely with its environment, taking in input and returning output * Closed System – Don’t interact with its environment
Adopting systems thinking is of great importance in the effective management of an organisation and problem-solving. This approach usually involves identifying something as a system and subsequently recognizing the characteristics and relationships of various components of the system.
Systems Classifications
Systems can be categorised into four basic classifications: *
Information Technology (IT) – mixture of computing and communications that characteristics our current technological environment.
Business Organisations
Systems and Systems Thinking
A system is a collection of interrelated components that function together to achieve some predefined purposes or objectives. A typical system usually had nine characteristics, as follows: 1. Component – A part of a system commonly referred to as a subsystem
2. Interrelated components - The dependency of one subsystem on one or more subsystems
3. Boundary – The line that marks the inside and outside of a system and that sets apart the system from its environment
4. Environment – everything external to the system that interacts with the system
5. Interfaces – Point of contact where a system meets its environment or where subsystems meet each other
6. Input – Whatever a system takes from its environment to fulfil its purpose
7. Output – Whatever a system returns to its environment in order to fulfil its purpose
8. Constraint – A limit or condition within which a system can accomplish its objectives
9. Stakeholders – Person(s) or organisation(s) that have a direct interest in the system
Two types of systems, open systems and closed systems are usually present in the real-world settings, depending on the relationship of the system with its environment. * Open System – Interact freely with its environment, taking in input and returning output * Closed System – Don’t interact with its environment
Adopting systems thinking is of great importance in the effective management of an organisation and problem-solving. This approach usually involves identifying something as a system and subsequently recognizing the characteristics and relationships of various components of the system.
Systems Classifications
Systems can be categorised into four basic classifications: *