Names 

Basic concepts of a systematic approach to management. Basic principles of the systems approach

The essence of the system approach as the basis of system analysis

Research is carried out in accordance with the chosen goal and in a certain sequence. Research is integral part management of the organization and are aimed at improving the main characteristics of the management process. When conducting research on control systems object research is the management system itself, which is characterized by certain characteristics and is subject to a number of requirements.

The effectiveness of the study of control systems is largely determined by the chosen and used research methods. Research methods are methods and techniques for conducting research. Their competent application contributes to obtaining reliable and complete results of the study of problems that have arisen in the organization. Choice of research methods, integration various methods during the research is determined by the knowledge, experience and intuition of the specialists conducting the research.

To identify the specifics of the work of organizations and develop measures to improve production and economic activities, system analysis. main goal system analysis is the development and implementation of such a control system, which is selected as a reference system that best meets all the requirements of optimality.

In order to comprehend the laws that govern human activity, it is important to learn how to understand in each specific case the general context for the perception of immediate tasks, how to bring into a system (hence the name “system analysis”) initially disparate and redundant information about a problem situation, how to coordinate with each other and to deduce one from the other representation and goals of different levels related to a single activity.

Here lies a fundamental problem that touches almost the very foundations of the organization of any human activity. The same task in a different context, at different levels of decision-making requires absolutely different ways organization and knowledge.

Systems approach is one of the most important methodological principles modern science and practices. System analysis methods are widely used to solve many theoretical and applied problems.

SYSTEM APPROACH - a methodological direction in science, the main task of which is to develop methods for research and design of complex objects - systems different types and classes. The systems approach is certain stage in the development of methods of cognition, methods of research and design activities, ways of describing and explaining the nature of the analyzed or artificially created objects.

At present, a systematic approach is increasingly being used in management, experience is accumulating in building system descriptions research objects. The need for a systematic approach is due to the enlargement and complexity of the systems under study, the need to manage large systems and integrate knowledge.

"System" is a Greek word (systema), literally meaning a whole made up of parts; a set of elements that are in relationships and connections with each other and form certain integrity, unity.

Other words can be formed from the word "system": "systemic", "systematize", "systematic". In a narrow sense, we understand the system approach as the application of system methods to study real physical, biological, social, and other systems.

The systems approach is applied to sets of objects, individual objects and their components, as well as to properties and integral characteristics objects.

The systems approach is not an end in itself. In each case, its use should give a real, quite tangible effect. The system approach allows one to see gaps in knowledge about a given object, to detect their incompleteness, to determine the tasks of scientific research, in some cases - by interpolation and extrapolation - to predict the properties of the missing parts of the description.

Exist several varieties of systems approach: complex, structural, holistic.

It is necessary to define the scope of these concepts.

A complex approach suggests the existence of a set of components of the object or applied research methods. At the same time, neither the relations between objects, nor the completeness of their composition, nor the relations of the components as a whole are taken into account. Mainly the problems of statics are solved: the quantitative ratio of components and the like.

Structural approach offers the study of the composition (subsystems) and structures of the object. With this approach, there is still no correlation between subsystems (parts) and the system (whole). Decomposition of systems into subsystems is not carried out uniformly. The dynamics of structures, as a rule, is not considered.

At holistic approach relations are studied not only between parts of an object, but also between parts and the whole. The decomposition of the whole into parts is unique. So, for example, it is customary to say that "the whole is that from which nothing can be taken away and to which nothing can be added." The holistic approach proposes the study of the composition (subsystems) and structures of an object not only in statics, but also in dynamics, i.e., it proposes the study of the behavior and evolution of systems. a holistic approach is not applicable to all systems (objects). but only to those who have high degree functional independence. To the number the most important tasks of a systematic approach relate:

1) development of means for representing the studied and constructed objects as systems;

2) building generalized models of the system, models different classes and specific properties systems;

3) study of the structure of systems theories and various system concepts and developments.

In a system study, the analyzed object is considered as a certain set of elements, the interconnection of which determines the integral properties of this set. The main emphasis is on identifying the variety of connections and relationships that take place both within the object under study and in its relationship with the external environment. The properties of an object as an integral system are determined not only and not so much by the summation of the properties of its individual elements, but by the properties of its structure, special system-forming, integrative links of the object under consideration. To understand the behavior of systems, primarily purposeful, it is necessary to identify the control processes implemented by this system - forms of information transfer from one subsystem to another and ways of influencing some parts of the system on others, coordination lower levels system from the side of its elements top level, control, impact on the last of all other subsystems. Significant importance in the system approach is given to identifying the probabilistic nature of the behavior of the objects under study. An important feature system approach is that not only the object, but the process of research itself acts as a complex system, whose task, in particular, is to combine various object models into a single whole. Finally, system objects, as a rule, are not indifferent to the process of their study and in many cases can have a significant impact on it.

The main principles of the systems approach are:

1. Integrity, which makes it possible to consider the system at the same time as a whole and at the same time as a subsystem for higher levels.

2. Hierarchical structure, i.e. the presence of a plurality (at least two) of elements located on the basis of the subordination of elements of a lower level to elements of a higher level. The implementation of this principle is clearly visible in the example of any particular organization. As you know, any organization is an interaction of two subsystems: managing and managed. One is subordinate to the other.

3. Structurization, which allows you to analyze the elements of the system and their relationships within a specific organizational structure. As a rule, the process of functioning of the system is determined not so much by the properties of its individual elements, but by the properties of the structure itself.

4. Multiplicity, which allows using a variety of cybernetic, economic and mathematical models to describe individual elements and the system as a whole.

As noted above, with a systematic approach importance acquires the study of the characteristics of the organization as a system, i.e. "input", "process" characteristics and "output" characteristics.

With a systematic approach based on marketing research first, the "output" parameters are examined, i.e. goods or services, namely what to produce, with what quality indicators, at what cost, for whom, in what time frame to sell and at what price. The answers to these questions should be clear and timely. As a result, the "output" should be competitive products or services. The login parameters are then determined, i.e. the need for resources (material, financial, labor and information) is investigated, which is determined after a detailed study of the organizational and technical level of the system under consideration (the level of technology, technology, features of the organization of production, labor and management) and the parameters of the external environment (economic, geopolitical, social, environmental and etc.).

And, finally, no less important is the study of the parameters of the process that converts resources into finished products. At this stage, depending on the object of study, production technology, or management technology, as well as factors and ways to improve it.

Thus, a systematic approach allows us to comprehensively evaluate any production and economic activity and the activity of the management system at the level of specific characteristics. This will help to analyze any situation within a single system, to identify the nature of the input, process and output problems.

The application of a systematic approach allows the best way organize the decision-making process at all levels in the management system. An integrated approach involves taking into account the analysis of both the internal and external environment of the organization. This means that it is necessary to take into account not only internal, but also external factors- economic, geopolitical, social, demographic, environmental, etc.

Factors are important aspects in the analysis of organizations and, unfortunately, are not always taken into account. For example, often social issues are not taken into account or postponed when designing new organizations. When implementing new technology ergonomic indicators are not always taken into account, which leads to increased fatigue of workers and, as a result, to a decrease in labor productivity. When forming new labor collectives, socio-psychological aspects, in particular, the problems of labor motivation, are not properly taken into account. Summarizing what has been said, it can be argued that A complex approach is a necessary condition for solving the problem of organization analysis.

The essence of the system approach was formulated by many authors. In an expanded form, it is formulated V. G. Afanasiev, which determined a number of interrelated aspects, which together and unity constitute a systematic approach:

- system-element, answering the question of what (what components) the system is formed from;

- system-structural, revealing the internal organization of the system, the way of interaction of its components;

System-functional, showing what functions the system and its constituent components perform;

- system-communication, revealing the relationship of a given system with others, both horizontally and vertically;

- system-integrative, showing the mechanisms, factors of conservation, improvement and development of the system;

System-historical, answering the question of how, how the system arose, what stages it went through in its development, what are its historical prospects.

Fast growth modern organizations and the level of their complexity, the variety of operations performed have led to the fact that the rational implementation of management functions has become extremely difficult, but at the same time even more important for the successful operation of the enterprise. To cope with the inevitable increase in the number of operations and their complexity, large organization should base its activities on a systematic approach. Within this approach, the leader can more effectively integrate their activities in managing the organization.

The systems approach contributes, as already mentioned, mainly to the development of the correct method of thinking about the management process. The leader must think in accordance with a systematic approach. When studying a systems approach, a way of thinking is instilled, which, on the one hand, helps to eliminate unnecessary complexity, and on the other hand, helps the manager to understand the essence of complex problems and make decisions based on a clear understanding of the environment. It is important to structure the task, to outline the boundaries of the system. But it is equally important to consider that the systems that the manager has to deal with in the course of their activities are part of larger systems, perhaps including the entire industry or several, sometimes many, companies and industries, or even the whole society as a whole. These systems are constantly changing: they are created, operate, reorganized and, sometimes, eliminated.

Systems approach is theoretical and methodological basis system analysis.

System approach - direction of philosophy and methodology scientific knowledge, which is based on the study of objects as systems.

The peculiarity of the system approach is that it is focused on revealing the integrity of the object and the mechanisms that ensure it, on identifying the diverse types of connections of a complex object and bringing them together into a single theoretical picture.

The concept of "system approach" (from English - systems approach) began to be widely used in 1960 - 1970, although the very desire to consider the object of study as an integral system arose back in ancient philosophy and science (Plato, Aristotle). The idea of ​​a systemic organization of knowledge, which arose in ancient times, was formed in the Middle Ages and received greatest development in German classical philosophy (Kant, Schelling). A classic example of a systematic study is "Capital" by K. Marx. The principles of studying the organic whole embodied in it (ascent from the abstract to the concrete, the unity of analysis and synthesis, logical and historical, the identification of different-quality relationships and their interaction in the object, the synthesis of structural-functional and genetic ideas about the object, etc.) were the most important component dialectical-materialistic methodology of scientific knowledge. Ch. Darwin's theory of evolution serves as a vivid example of the application of a systematic approach in biology.

In the XX century. The systematic approach occupies one of the leading places in scientific knowledge. This is primarily due to the change in the type of scientific and practical tasks. In a number of fields of science, the problems of studying the organization and functioning of complex self-developing objects, the boundaries and composition of which are not obvious and require special research in each individual case, begin to occupy a central place. The study of such objects - multilevel, hierarchical, self-organizing biological, psychological, social, technical - required the consideration of these objects as systems.

There are a number of scientific concepts, which are characterized by the use of the basic ideas of the systems approach. So, in the teachings of V. I. Vernadsky about the biosphere and the noosphere, scientific knowledge is proposed new type objects - global systems. A. A. Bogdanov and a number of other researchers begin to develop the theory of organization. The allocation of a special class of systems - information and control - served as the foundation for the emergence of cybernetics. In biology, systemic ideas are used in ecological research, in the study of higher nervous activity, in the analysis of biological organization, and in systematics. AT economics the principles of a systematic approach are applied in setting and solving problems of optimal economic planning, which require the construction of multicomponent models of social systems different levels. In management practice, the ideas of a systematic approach are crystallized in the methodological means of system analysis.

Thus, the principles of a systematic approach apply to almost all areas of scientific knowledge and practice. In parallel, the systematic development of these principles in methodological terms begins. Initially, methodological studies were grouped around the problems of constructing a general theory of systems (the first program for its construction and the term itself were proposed by L. Bertalanffy). In the early 1920s young biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy began to study organisms as certain systems, summarizing his views in the book " Modern theory development "(1929). He developed a systematic approach to the study of biological organisms. In the book "Robots, People and Consciousness" (1967), the scientist transferred the general theory of systems to the analysis of processes and phenomena public life. In 1969 another book by Bertalanffy, General Systems Theory, was published. The researcher turns his systems theory into a general disciplinary science. He saw the purpose of this science in the search for the structural similarity of the laws established in various disciplines, on the basis of which it is possible to derive system-wide patterns.

However, the development of research in this direction has shown that the totality of the problems of the methodology of system research significantly exceeds the scope of the tasks of the general theory of systems. To designate this broader scope of methodological problems, the term "systems approach" is used, which has been used since the 1970s. firmly entered into scientific use (in scientific literature different countries other terms are also used to denote this concept - "system analysis", "system methods", "system-structural approach", " general theory systems"; at the same time, a specific, narrower meaning is also assigned to the concepts of system analysis and general systems theory; with this in mind, the term "system approach" should be considered more accurate, moreover, it is most common in the literature in Russian).

The following stages in the development of a systematic approach in the 20th century can be distinguished. (Table 6.1).

Table 6.1. The main stages in the development of a systematic approach

Period

Researchers

L. A. Bogdanov

General organizational science (tectology) - a general theory of organization (disorganization), the science of universal types of structural transformation of systems

1930s-1940s

L. von Bertalanffy

General systems theory (as a set of principles for studying systems and a set of individual empirically identified isomorphisms in the structure and functioning of heterogeneous system objects). System - a complex of interacting elements, a set of elements that are in certain relationships with each other and with the environment

Development of cybernetics and design automated systems management. Wiener discovered the laws information exchange elements in the system management process

1960-1980s

M. Mesarovich, P. Glushkov

Concepts of the general theory of systems, provided with their own mathematical apparatus, for example, models of multi-level multi-purpose systems

The systematic approach does not exist in the form of a strict methodological concept, but rather a set of research principles. A systematic approach is an approach in which the object under study is considered as a system, i.e. a set of interrelated elements (components) that has an output (goal), an input (resources), a connection with external environment, feedback. In accordance with the general theory of systems, an object is considered as a system and at the same time as an element of a larger system.

The study of an object from the standpoint of a systematic approach includes the following aspects of:

  • - system-elemental (identification of the elements that make up this system);
  • - system-structural (the study of internal relationships between the elements of the system);
  • - system-functional (identification of system functions);
  • - system-target (identifying the goals and sub-goals of the system);
  • - system-resource (analysis of resources required for the functioning of the system);
  • - system-integration (determination of a set of qualitative properties of the system that ensure its integrity and are different from the properties of its elements);
  • - system-communication (analysis of external relations of the system with the external environment and other systems);
  • - system-historical (studying the emergence of the system, stages of its development and prospects).

Thus, a systematic approach is a methodological direction in science, the main task of which is to develop methods for researching and constructing complex objects - systems of different types and classes.

One can meet a dual understanding of the systems approach: on the one hand, this is a consideration, analysis of existing systems, on the other hand, the creation, design, synthesis of systems to achieve goals.

In relation to organizations, the systems approach is most often understood as a comprehensive study of an object as a whole from the standpoint of system analysis, i.e. clarification of a complex problem and its structuring into a series of tasks solved using economic and mathematical methods, finding criteria for their solution, detailing goals, designing effective organization to achieve goals.

System analysis used as one of the most important methods in a systems approach, as effective remedy solutions to complex, usually poorly defined problems. System analysis can be considered further development ideas of cybernetics: he explores general patterns relating to complex systems that are studied by any science.

System engineering - applied science that studies the problems of real creation of complex control systems.

The process of building a system consists of six stages:

  • 1) system analysis;
  • 2) system programming, which includes the definition of current goals: scheduling and work plans;
  • 3) system design - the actual design of the system, its subsystems and components to achieve optimal efficiency;
  • 4) creation of software programs;
  • 5) putting the system into operation and testing it;
  • 6) system maintenance.

The quality of the organization of the system is usually expressed in the synergy effect. It manifests itself in the fact that the result of the functioning of the system as a whole is higher than the sum of the results of the same name of the individual elements that make up the totality. In practice, this means that from the same elements we can obtain systems of different or identical properties, but of different efficiency, depending on how these elements are interconnected, i.e. how the system will be organized.

An organization, which in its most general abstract form is an organized whole, is the ultimate extension of any system. The concept of "organization" as an ordered state of the whole is identical to the concept of "system". The concept opposite to "system" is the concept "non-system".

A system is nothing but an organization in statics, i.e. some fixed on this moment state of order.

Considering an organization as a system allows you to systematize and classify organizations according to a number of common features. So, according to the degree of complexity, there are nine levels of hierarchy:

  • 1) the level of static organization, reflecting the static relationships between the elements of the whole;
  • 2) the level of a simple dynamic system with pre-programmed mandatory movements;
  • 3) the level of information organization, or the level of "thermostat";
  • 4) self-preserving organization - open system, or cell level;
  • 5) genetically public organization;
  • 6) organization of the "animal" type, characterized by the presence of mobility, purposeful behavior and awareness;
  • 7) the level of individual human body- "human" level;
  • 8) social organization, representing a variety of public institutions;
  • 9) transcendental systems, i.e. organizations that exist in the form of various structures and relationships.

The application of a systematic approach to the study of an organization makes it possible to significantly expand the understanding of its essence and development trends, to more deeply and comprehensively reveal the content of ongoing processes, to identify the objective patterns of the formation of this multifaceted system.

A systematic approach, or a systematic method, is an explicit (obviously, openly expressed) description of the procedures for determining objects as systems and methods for their specific systematic research (descriptions, explanations, predictions, etc.).

A systematic approach to the study of the properties of the organization allows you to establish its integrity, consistency and organization. With a systematic approach, the attention of researchers is directed to its composition, to the properties of elements that manifest themselves in interaction. Establishment in the system of a stable relationship of elements at all levels and steps, i.e. the establishment of the law of connections between elements is the discovery of the structural nature of the system as the next step in concretizing the whole.

Structure as an internal organization of the system, a reflection of its internal content is manifested in the orderliness of the interconnections of its parts. This allows you to express a number of essential aspects of the organization as a system. The structure of the system, expressing its essence, is manifested in the totality of the laws of a given field of phenomena.

The study of the structure of the organization is an important stage in the knowledge of the variety of connections that take place within the object under study. This is one of the aspects of the system. The other side is to identify intra-organizational relations and the relationship of the object under consideration with other components of the higher-level system. In this regard, it is necessary, firstly, to consider the individual properties of the object under study in their relationship with the object as a whole, and secondly, to reveal the laws of behavior.

The system as a subject of a systematic approach

The key concept that defines the entire system methodological direction is the concept of a system as a specific subject. scientific research. It has already been noted above that its interpretation is too broad, making it meaningless to use any special research approaches.

So, the system as a subject of the system approach is a composite object of a different nature with the following properties:

  • the system is a collection of its elements and components. Element - the primary indivisible part of the system (brick, atom). Component - a broader concept, including both elements and components of the system - subsystems;
  • system components have their own internally conditioned activity (non-deterministic behavior) and are in interaction with each other;
  • the concept of entropy is applicable to the system - a measure of organization, orderliness of the system. Entropy is the main parameter of the state of the system;
  • the state of the system is characterized by a probability distribution.
  • the system is self-organizing, that is, it is able to reduce or maintain certain level its entropy.
  • the properties of a system are not reduced to the sum of the properties of its components.

Such systems are found in matter at the molecular, quantum levels, in technology, computer science. biological organism, social groups and society as a whole are such systems.

The most important features are self-organization and irreducibility of the properties of the system to the properties of its components.

Self-organization is the process of spontaneous ordering in the system due to internal factors, without external specific influence.

The concept of a systematic approach

Man perceives the world through their sense organs, each of which has limitations in sensitivity. The human mind also has limited ability to comprehend the information received from the senses.

Therefore, the main scientific method of cognition was and always will be analysis. Analysis allows you to bring the research problem to a solvable form.

Analysis (ancient Greek ἀνάλυσις - decomposition, dismemberment) is the operation of mental or real dismemberment of the object under study into its component parts, elucidation of the properties of these parts and the subsequent derivation of the properties of the whole from the properties of the parts (synthesis).

When examining a composite object, its components are analyzed, and the properties of the entire object are derived from their properties.

But if we are faced with a composite object, the components of which have non-deterministic behavior, are in interaction with each other, and in general the object shows signs of self-organization, then we understand that the properties of such an object are not reduced to the sum of the properties of its components. We say: "Stop, analysis is not applicable to such an object. We must apply some other research methods."

This is the systematic approach.

Strictly speaking, we end up applying analysis anyway. But, applying a systematic approach, we do not divide the composite object into the components of which it consists, but differentiate according to some other features (grounds). For example, for many research purposes social group can (and should) be considered as consisting not of people, but of a set social roles. This is a systematic approach.

Thus,

A systematic approach is the fundamental methodological orientation of research, the point of view from which the object of study is considered, as well as the principle that guides the overall research strategy.

The system approach consists, first of all, in the realization that the object to be studied is a system - a composite object, the properties of which are not reduced to the sum of the properties of its parts.

The system approach makes us stop expressing the properties of the system through the properties of its components, and look for definitions of the properties of the system as a whole.

A systematic approach requires the application of special research methods and tools to the system - systemic, functional, correlation analysis, etc.

findings

The system as a subject of the system approach is a composite object of a different nature, the components of which have their own internally conditioned activity (non-deterministic behavior) and interact with each other, as a result of which the behavior of the system has a probabilistic nature, and the properties of the system are not reduced to the sum of the properties of its components. All such systems of natural origin have the properties of self-organization.

A systematic approach is the fundamental methodological orientation of the study, which consists in stating that analysis is not applicable to such an object, and that its study requires the use of special research methods.

A systematic approach in the study of management can be represented as a set of principles that must be followed and which reflect both the content and the peculiarity of the systematic approach. .

BUT. The principle of integrity

It consists in highlighting the object of study as a holistic formation, i.e., delimiting it from other phenomena, from the environment. This can only be done by defining and evaluating distinctive properties phenomena and comparison of these properties with the properties of its elements. At the same time, the object of study does not have to bear the name of the system. For example, a management system, a personnel management system, etc. This can be a mechanism, process, solution, goal, problem, situation, etc.

B. The principle of compatibility of elements of the whole

A whole can only exist as a whole when its constituent elements are compatible with each other. It is their compatibility that determines the possibility and existence of connections, their existence or functioning within the framework of the whole. The system approach requires to evaluate all the elements of the whole from these positions. At the same time, compatibility should be understood not simply as a property of an element as such, but its property in accordance with the position and functional status in this whole, its relation to system-forming elements.

AT. The principle of the functional-structural structure of the whole

This principle lies in the fact that when studying control systems, it is necessary to analyze and determine the functional structure of the system, that is, to see not only the elements and their connections, but also the functional content of each of the elements. In two identical systems with the same set of elements and their same structure, the content of the functioning of these elements and their connections according to certain functions may be different. This often affects the effectiveness of management. For example, in the management system, there may be undeveloped functions of social regulation, forecasting and planning functions, and public relations functions.

A special factor in the use of this principle is the factor of development of functions and the degree of their isolation, which to a certain extent characterizes the professionalism of its implementation.

The study of the functional content of the control system must necessarily include the definition of dysfunctions that characterize the presence of such functions that do not correspond to the functions of the whole and thus can disrupt the stability of the control system, the necessary stability of its functioning. Dysfunctions are, as it were, superfluous functions, sometimes outdated, having lost their relevance, but still exist due to inertia. They need to be identified during research.

G. Development principle

Any management system that is the object of research is at a certain level and stage of development. All its characteristics are determined by the characteristics of the level and stage of development. And this must be taken into account in the conduct of the study.

How can this be taken into account? Obviously, through comparative analysis its past state, present and possible future. Of course, here there are difficulties of an informational nature, namely: the availability, sufficiency and value of information. But these difficulties can be reduced with a systematic study of the management system, which allows you to accumulate the necessary information, determine development trends and extrapolate them to the future.

D. Function labilization principle

Assessing the development of the management system, one cannot exclude the possibility of changing its general functions, acquiring new functions of integrity, with relative stability of internal ones, that is, their composition and structure. This phenomenon characterizes the concept of lability of the functions of the control system. In reality, it is often necessary to observe the lability of control functions. It has certain limits, but in many cases it can reflect both positive and negative phenomena. Of course, this should be in the field of view of the researcher.

E. The principle of semi-functionality

The control system may have multifunctional functions. These are functions connected according to a certain attribute in order to obtain some special effect. It can be otherwise called the principle of interoperability. But the compatibility of functions is determined not only by its content, as is often assumed, but also by the goals of management and the compatibility of performers. After all, a function is not just a type of activity, but also a person who implements this function. Often functions that seem to be incompatible in their content turn out to be compatible in the activities of a certain specialist. And vice versa. In the study of multifunctionality, one should not forget about the human factor of management.

J. Iterative principle

Any research is a process that involves a certain sequence of operations, the use of methods, the evaluation of preliminary, intermediate and final results. This characterizes the iterative structure of the research process. Its success depends on how we choose these iterations, how we combine them.

Z. The principle of probabilistic estimates

In a study, it is not always possible to accurately trace and evaluate all causal relationships, in other words, to present the object of study in a deterministic way. Many connections and relationships are objectively probabilistic in nature, many phenomena can only be estimated probabilistically, if we take into account modern level, modern opportunities for studying the phenomena of the socio-economic and socio-psychological plan. Therefore, the study of management should be focused on probabilistic estimates. This means the widespread use of statistical analysis methods, probability calculation methods, normative estimates, flexible modeling, etc.

AND. The principle of variation.

This principle follows from the principle of probability. The combination of probabilities gives various options reflection and understanding of reality. Each of these options can and should be the focus of research. Any research can be focused either on obtaining a single result, or on determining options reflecting the real state of affairs with subsequent analysis of these options. The variance of the study is manifested in the development of not a single, but several working hypotheses or various concepts at the first stage of the study. Variation can also be manifested in the choice of aspects and methods of research, various ways, say modeling phenomena.

But these principles of systematicity can only be useful and effective, can reflect a truly systematic approach, when they themselves are taken into account and used systematically, that is, in interdependence and in connection with each other. Such a paradox is possible: the principles of a systematic approach do not give a systematic approach to research, because they are used sporadically, without taking into account their connection, subordination, and complexity. The principles of systemicity must also be used systematically.

Thus, a systematic approach is a set of principles that determine the goal and strategy for solving complex problems, a method based on presenting the object-carrier of the problem as a system, including, on the one hand, the decomposition of a complex problem into its components, the analysis of these components, up to the formulation of specific tasks, having proven solution algorithms, and on the other hand, keeping these components in their inseparable unity. An important feature of the system approach is that not only the object, but the research process itself acts as a complex system, the task of which, in particular, is to combine various object models into a single whole.

methodological direction in science, the main task of which is to develop methods for the study and design of complex objects - systems of different types and classes.

Great Definition

Incomplete definition ↓

systems approach

SYSTEMS APPROACH- the direction of the philosophy and methodology of science, special scientific knowledge and social practice, which is based on the study of objects as systems. S. p. focuses research on the disclosure of the integrity of the object and the mechanisms that ensure it, on the identification of diverse types of connections of a complex object and their reduction into a single theoretical picture. The concept "S. P." (English "systems approach") has been widely used since the late 60s - early 70s. 20th century in English and Russian. philosophical and systemic literature. Close in content to "S. P." are the concepts of "systems research", "systematic principle", "general systems theory" and "systems analysis". S. p. - interdisciplinary philosophical and methodological and scientific direction research. Not directly solving philosophical problems, S. p. needs a philosophical interpretation of its provisions. An important part of the philosophical substantiation of S. p. systemic principle. Historically, the ideas of a systematic study of the objects of the world and the processes of cognition arose in ancient philosophy (Plato, Aristotle), were widely developed in the philosophy of modern times (I. Kant, F. Schelling), were studied by K. Marx in relation to economic structure capitalist society. In the theory of biological evolution created by Charles Darwin, not only the idea was formulated, but the idea of ​​the reality of superorganismal levels of life organization (the most important prerequisite for systems thinking in biology). S. p. represents a certain stage in the development of methods of cognition, research and design activities, methods of describing and explaining the nature of analyzed or artificially created objects. The principles of S. p. come to replace the widespread in the 17-19 centuries. concepts of mechanism and oppose them. The methods of S. p. find the widest application in the study of complex developing objects - multi-level, hierarchical, self-organizing biological, psychological, social, and other systems, large technical systems, man-machine systems, etc. Among the most important tasks of structural design are: 1) the development of means for representing the objects being studied and constructed as systems; 2) construction of generalized models of the system, models of different classes and specific properties of systems; 3) study of the structure of systems theories and various system concepts and developments. In a system study, the analyzed object is considered as a certain set of elements, the interconnection of which determines the integral properties of this set. The main emphasis is on identifying the variety of connections and relationships that take place both within the object under study and in its relationship with the external environment. The properties of an object as an integral system are determined not only and not so much by the summation of the properties of its individual elements, but by the properties of its structure, special backbone, integrative links of the object under consideration. To understand the behavior of systems (first of all, purposeful), it is necessary to identify the management processes implemented by this system - forms of information transfer from one subsystem to another and ways of influencing some parts of the system on others, coordination of the lower levels of the system by elements of its higher level of management, influence on the last of all other subsystems. Significant importance in S. p. is attached to revealing the probabilistic nature of the behavior of the objects under study. An important feature of S. the item is that not only the object, but also the process of research itself acts as a complex system, the task of which, in particular, is to combine various models of the object into a single whole. System objects are very often not indifferent to the process of their research and in many cases can have a significant impact on it. In the context of the development of the scientific and technological revolution in the second half of the 20th century. there is a further refinement of the content of S. p. - the disclosure of its philosophical foundations, the development of logical and methodological principles, further progress in the construction of a general theory of systems. S. p. is a theoretical and methodological basis system analysis. A prerequisite for the penetration of S. p. into science in the 20th century. was, first of all, the transition to a new type scientific tasks: in a number of areas of science, the problems of organization and functioning of complex objects begin to occupy a central place; cognition operates with systems, the boundaries and composition of which are far from obvious and require special research in each individual case. In the second half of the 20th century tasks similar in type also arise in social practice: social management Instead of the previously prevailing local, sectoral tasks and principles, major complex problems begin to play a leading role, requiring close interconnection of economic, social, environmental and other aspects of public life (for example, global problems, complex problems of the socio-economic development of countries and regions, problems of creating modern productions , complexes, urban development, nature protection activities, etc.). The change in the type of scientific and practical problems is accompanied by the appearance of general scientific and special scientific concepts, which are characterized by the use in one form or another of the basic ideas of S. p. in. the systematic development of these principles in methodological terms begins. Initially, methodological studies were grouped around the problems of constructing a general theory of systems. However, the development of research in this direction has shown that the totality of the problems of the methodology of system research goes beyond the scope of the tasks of developing only a general theory of systems. To designate this wider scope of methodological problems, the term “S. P.". S. p. does not exist in the form of a strict theoretical or methodological concept: it performs its heuristic functions, remaining a set of cognitive principles, the main meaning of which is the appropriate orientation of specific studies. This orientation is carried out in two ways. First, the substantive principles of S. p. allow fixing the insufficiency of old, traditional subjects of study for setting and solving new problems. Secondly, the concepts and principles of S. p. significantly help to build new subjects of study, setting the structural and typological characteristics of these subjects and thus contributing to the formation of constructive research programs. The role of S. p. in the development of scientific, technical and practice-oriented knowledge is as follows. First, the concepts and principles of S. p. reveal a wider cognitive reality in comparison with that which was fixed in the previous knowledge (for example, the concept of the biosphere in the concept of V. I. Vernadsky, the concept of biogeocenosis in modern ecology, the optimal approach in economic management and planning, etc.). Secondly, within the framework of S. p., new, in comparison with the previous stages in the development of scientific knowledge, schemes of explanation are developed, which are based on the search for specific mechanisms for the integrity of an object and the identification of a typology of its connections. Thirdly, it follows from the thesis about the variety of types of relations of an object, which is important for a scaling theory, that any complex object admits several subdivisions. At the same time, the criterion for choosing the most adequate division of the object under study can be the extent to which, as a result, it is possible to construct a “unit” of analysis that allows fixing the integral properties of the object, its structure and dynamics. The breadth of the principles and basic concepts of S. p. puts it in close connection with other methodological trends in modern science. In terms of its cognitive attitudes, S. p. has much in common with structuralism and structural-functional analysis, with which he is connected not only by operating with the concepts of system, structure and function, but also by the emphasis on the study of heterogeneous relations of an object. At the same time, the principles of S. p. have a broader and more flexible content; they were not subjected to such rigid conceptualization and absolutization, which was characteristic of some interpretations of structuralism and structural-functional analysis. I.V. Blauberg, E.G. Yudin, V.N. Sadovsky Lit .: Problems of methodology of system research. M., 1970; Blauberg I.V., Yudin E.G. Formation and essence of the system approach. M., 1973; Sadovsky V.N. Foundations of General Systems Theory: Logical and Methodological Analysis. M., 1974; Uemov A.I. System approach and general systems theory. M., 1978; Afanasiev V.G. Consistency and society. M., 1980; Blauberg I.V. The problem of integrity and a systematic approach. M., 1997; Yudin E.G. Science Methodology: Consistency. Activity. M, 1997; System Research. Yearbook. Issue. 1-26. M., 1969-1998; Churchman C.W. The Systems Approach. N.Y., 1968; Trends in General Systems Theory. N.Y., 1972; General Systems Theory. Yearbook. Vol. 1-30. N.Y., 1956-85; Critical Systems Thinking. Directed Readings. N.Y., 1991.