System model
Encyclopedia
A system model is the conceptual model
that describes and represents a system
. A system comprises multiple views
such as planning
, requirement (analysis), design
, implementation
, deployment
, structure
, behavior
, input data, and output data
views. A system model is required to describe and represent all these multiple views.
The system model describes and represents the multiple views possibly using two different approaches. The first one is the non-architectural approach and the second one is the architectural approach.
The non-architectural approach respectively picks a model for each view. For example, Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method
(SSADM), picking the Structure Chart
(SC) for structure description and the Data Flow Diagram
(DFD) for behavior description, is categorized into the non-architectural approach.
The architectural approach, instead of picking many heterogeneous and unrelated models, will use only one single coalescence model. For example, System architecture, using the Architecture Description Language
(ADL) for both structure and behavior descriptions, is categorized into the architectural approach.
Conceptual model
In the most general sense, a model is anything used in any way to represent anything else. Some models are physical objects, for instance, a toy model which may be assembled, and may even be made to work like the object it represents. They are used to help us know and understand the subject matter...
that describes and represents a system
System
System is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an integrated whole....
. A system comprises multiple views
View model
A view model or viewpoints framework in systems engineering, software engineering, and enterprise engineering is a framework which defines a coherent set of views to be used in the construction of a system architecture, software architecture, or enterprise architecture. A view is a representation...
such as planning
Planning
Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior...
, requirement (analysis), design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, implementation
Implementation
Implementation is the realization of an application, or execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard, algorithm, or policy.-Computer Science:...
, deployment
System deployment
The deployment of a mechanical device, electrical system, computer program, etc., is its assembly or transformation from a packaged form to an operational working state....
, structure
Structure
Structure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society...
, behavior
Behavior
Behavior or behaviour refers to the actions and mannerisms made by organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with its environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the physical environment...
, input data, and output data
Input/output
In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers to the communication between an information processing system , and the outside world, possibly a human, or another information processing system. Inputs are the signals or data received by the system, and outputs are the signals or data sent from it...
views. A system model is required to describe and represent all these multiple views.
The system model describes and represents the multiple views possibly using two different approaches. The first one is the non-architectural approach and the second one is the architectural approach.
The non-architectural approach respectively picks a model for each view. For example, Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method
Structured Systems Analysis and Design Method
Structured systems analysis and design method is a systems approach to the analysis and design of information systems. SSADM was produced for the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency , a UK government office concerned with the use of technology in government, from 1980 onwards.- Overview...
(SSADM), picking the Structure Chart
Structure chart
A Structure Chart in software engineering and organizational theory, is a chart which shows the breakdown of a system to its lowest manageable levels. They are used in structured programming to arrange program modules into a tree. Each module is represented by a box, which contains the module's name...
(SC) for structure description and the Data Flow Diagram
Data flow diagram
A data flow diagram is a graphical representation of the "flow" of data through an information system, modelling its process aspects. Often they are a preliminary step used to create an overview of the system which can later be elaborated...
(DFD) for behavior description, is categorized into the non-architectural approach.
The architectural approach, instead of picking many heterogeneous and unrelated models, will use only one single coalescence model. For example, System architecture, using the Architecture Description Language
Architecture description language
Different communities use the term architecture description language. Some important communities are the system engineering community, the software engineering community and the enterprise modelling and engineering community...
(ADL) for both structure and behavior descriptions, is categorized into the architectural approach.
See also
- Community Climate System ModelCommunity Climate System ModelThe Community Climate System Model is a coupled Global Climate Model developed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research with funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and NASA...
, a coupled Global Climate Model - Human visual system modelHuman Visual System ModelA human visual system model is used by image processing, video processing and computer vision experts to deal with biological and psychological processes that are not yet fully understood. Such a model is used to simplify the behaviours of what is a very complex system...
, a human visual system model used by image processing, video processing and computer vision - Internal Family Systems ModelInternal Family Systems ModelThe Internal Family Systems Model is an integrative approach to individual psychotherapy developed by Richard C. Schwartz, Ph.D. It combines systems thinking with the view that mind is made up of relatively discrete subpersonalities each with its own viewpoint and qualities...
, an integrative approach to psychotherapy, relationship counseling and family therapy - Solar system modelSolar system modelSolar System models, especially mechanical models, called orreries, that illustrate the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons in the Solar System have been built for centuries. While they often showed relative sizes, these models were usually not built to scale...
, a model that illustrate the relative positions and motions of the planets and stars - Viable System ModelViable System ModelThe viable systems model, or VSM is a model of the organisational structure of any viable or autonomous system. A viable system is any system organised in such a way as to meet the demands of surviving in the changing environment. One of the prime features of systems that survive is that they are...
, a model of the organisational structure of any viable or autonomous system