General Principles Of Systems Design

Bring a Deeper Understanding of Systems to Software and System Development Originally titled On the Design of Stable Systems in its first, hardcover incarnation, in 1979, General Principles of Systems Design does not just focus on computer systems, but systems of all kinds--human, natural, and technological. In a highly readable, original presentation that embraces everything from depletion curves to the Feedback Principle (the method of controlling a system by reinserting it into the results of its past performance), the Weinbergs explore the subtle art and science of regulating systems, projects, and people in the most efficient and logical manner possible. The authors draw on their respective backgrounds in technology and social science to offer fresh insights and translate them into a language that anyone can understand. In the course of this presentation, the Weinbergs introduce a host of laws and theorems derived from the best thinking of systems thinkers over the past century. In addition to being a reference book for professional and lay people alike, General Principles of Systems Design is suitable as an undergraduate text in the humanities, social, natural, and engineering sciences. It is unique in its approach, highly readable, and offers practical ways of solving problems.

Principles of Computer System Design is the first textbook to take a principles-based approach to the computer system design. It identifies, examines, and illustrates fundamental concepts in computer system design that are common across operating systems, networks, database systems, distributed systems, programming languages, software engineering, security, fault tolerance, and architecture. Through carefully analyzed case studies from each of these disciplines, it demonstrates how to apply these concepts to tackle practical system design problems. To support the focus on design, the text identifies and explains abstractions that have proven successful in practice such as remote procedure call, client/service organization, file systems, data integrity, consistency, and authenticated messages. Most computer systems are built using a handful of such abstractions. The text describes how these abstractions are implemented, demonstrates how they are used in different systems, and prepares the reader to apply them in future designs. The book is recommended for junior and senior undergraduate students in Operating Systems, Distributed Systems, Distributed Operating Systems and/or Computer Systems Design courses; and professional computer systems designers. Features: Concepts of computer system design guided by fundamental principles. Cross-cutting approach that identifies abstractions common to networking, operating systems, transaction systems, distributed systems, architecture, and software engineering. Case studies that make the abstractions real: naming (DNS and the URL); file systems (the UNIX file system); clients and services (NFS); virtualization (virtual machines); scheduling (disk arms); security (TLS). Numerous pseudocode fragments that provide concrete examples of abstract concepts. Extensive support. The authors and MIT OpenCourseWare provide on-line, free of charge, open educational resources, including additional chapters, course syllabi, board layouts and slides, lecture videos, and an archive of lecture schedules, class assignments, and design projects.

Principles of Engineering Design discusses design applicability to machine systems, the nature and scope of technical processes, technical systems, machine systems, the human design engineer, the design process, and cases related to methods and procedures. The text deals with the structure, mode of action, properties, origination, development, and systematics of such technical systems. It analyzes the design process in terms of case problems, modelling, structure, strategies, tactics, representation, and working means. It also describes in detail the general model of a methodical procedure: separate design steps are treated in a unified fashion from different perspectives. The text notes that the tasks and methods of design research involve the following: (1) Components—determining structural elements in the design process; (2) Sequence—determining a general procedural model for the design process with a minimum of failures; (3) Modifications—what changes in factors affect the design process; and (5) Tactics—selection for individual design operations to obtain optimal results. A case study exemplifies the significant stages of design of a welding positioner. The book is highly recommended for students and the practicing design engineer in various fields.

The Information System Consultant's Handbook familiarizes systems analysts, systems designers, and information systems consultants with underlying principles, specific documentation, and methodologies. Corresponding to the primary stages in the systems development life cycle, the book divides into eight sections: Principles Information Gathering and Problem Definition Project Planning and Project Management Systems Analysis Identifying Alternatives Component Design Testing and Implementation Operation and Maintenance Eighty-two chapters comprise the book, and each chapter covers a single tool, technique, set of principles, or methodology. The clear, concise narrative, supplemented with numerous illustrations and diagrams, makes the material accessible for readers - effectively outlining new and unfamiliar analysis and design topics.

Universal Principles of Design is the first comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia of design.

Praise for the first edition: “This excellent text will be useful to everysystem engineer (SE) regardless of the domain. It covers ALLrelevant SE material and does so in a very clear, methodicalfashion. The breadth and depth of the author's presentation ofSE principles and practices is outstanding.” –Philip Allen This textbook presents a comprehensive, step-by-step guide toSystem Engineering analysis, design, and development via anintegrated set of concepts, principles, practices, andmethodologies. The methods presented in this text apply to any typeof human system -- small, medium, and large organizational systemsand system development projects delivering engineered systems orservices across multiple business sectors such as medical,transportation, financial, educational, governmental, aerospace anddefense, utilities, political, and charity, among others. Provides a common focal point for “bridgingthe gap” between and unifying System Users, System Acquirers,multi-discipline System Engineering, and Project, Functional, andExecutive Management education, knowledge, and decision-making fordeveloping systems, products, or services Each chapter provides definitions of key terms,guiding principles, examples, author’s notes, real-worldexamples, and exercises, which highlight and reinforce key SE&Dconcepts and practices Addresses concepts employed in Model-BasedSystems Engineering (MBSE), Model-Driven Design (MDD), UnifiedModeling Language (UMLTM) / Systems Modeling Language(SysMLTM), and Agile/Spiral/V-Model Development such asuser needs, stories, and use cases analysis; specificationdevelopment; system architecture development; User-Centric SystemDesign (UCSD); interface definition & control; systemintegration & test; and Verification & Validation(V&V) Highlights/introduces a new 21st Century SystemsEngineering & Development (SE&D) paradigm that is easy tounderstand and implement. Provides practices that are critical stagingpoints for technical decision making such as Technical StrategyDevelopment; Life Cycle requirements; Phases, Modes, & States;SE Process; Requirements Derivation; System ArchitectureDevelopment, User-Centric System Design (UCSD); EngineeringStandards, Coordinate Systems, and Conventions; et al. Thoroughly illustrated, with end-of-chapter exercises andnumerous case studies and examples, Systems EngineeringAnalysis, Design, and Development, Second Edition is a primarytextbook for multi-discipline, engineering, system analysis, andproject management undergraduate/graduate level students and avaluable reference for professionals.

This handbook charts the new engineering paradigm of engineering systems. It brings together contributions from leading thinkers in the field and discusses the design, management and enabling policy of engineering systems. It contains explorations of core themes including technical and (socio-) organisational complexity, human behaviour and uncertainty. The text includes chapters on the education of future engineers, the way in which interventions can be designed, and presents a look to the future. This book follows the emergence of engineering systems, a new engineering paradigm that will help solve truly global challenges. This global approach is characterised by complex sociotechnical systems that are now co-dependent and highly integrated both functionally and technically as well as by a realisation that we all share the same: climate, natural resources, a highly integrated economical system and a responsibility for global sustainability goals. The new paradigm and approach requires the (re)designing of engineering systems that take into account the shifting dynamics of human behaviour, the influence of global stakeholders, and the need for system integration. The text is a reference point for scholars, engineers and policy leaders who are interested in broadening their current perspective on engineering systems design and in devising interventions to help shape societal futures.