The Characteristics of Good Systems

Abstract

Software engineering attempts to produce systems that are ƒ??good systemsƒ? in terms of reliability, ease of maintenance etc.  We take a broader definition of a good system as any general system that produces benefits that exceed initial expectations or intended scope or initial investment.  There appear to be common characteristics that tie together such systems.  These are hypothesized to include functional ƒ??goodnessƒ?, good infrastructure, reliability, connect-ability, versatility and benefits that overflow/overwhelm the systemƒ??s scope or initial investment.  A case study approach involving four examples of what are regarded as ƒ??good systemsƒ? and four examples of what are regarded as ƒ??bad systemsƒ? fully supports this hypothesis.  But support for the converse hypothesis, a bad system not having these characteristics was only 68.7%.  The implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords

complex systems analysis. good systems information systems philosophy software engineering philosophy strategic systems system characteristics systems theory

  • Research Identity (RIN)

  • License

  • Language & Pages

    English, 25-38

  • Classification

    D.2