Author
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MAYHEW, MICHAEL - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY |
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Alessi, Randolph |
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Submitted to: Systems Engineering Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Systems engineering is a problem solving method that requires large amounts of human interaction and thinking. A human oriented theory used in other fields, such as anthropology and family therapy, is therefore potentially useful to those who do systems engineering. The approach focuses on how people interact rather than by trying to figure out what motivates individuals. The theory is being presented in this work as an historical background to which further research can be focused. Technical Abstract: Human beings and the human dynamic are central features of systems engineering. Since engineers are often technically oriented, understanding and dealing with the human dimension can become problematic. A human systems theory, built upon the technical foundation of a general systems theory, may offer systems engineers a way to understand themselves, other team members and stakeholders more rigorously. This paper gives a general description of human systems theory with examples to help communicate meaning. This is followed by a description of a human system in theoretic terminology. This theory can be useful to systems engineers for more rigorously managing the human dimension of systems engineering. |
