via College Publications – Systems
![]() Systems Founding Editor: Harold “Bud” Lawson Editors: Jon P. Wade The Systems series publishes books related to Systems Science, Systems Thinking, Systems Engineering and Software Engineering. Systems Science having its contemporary roots in the first half of the 20th century is today made up of a diversity of approaches that have entered different fields of investigation. Systems Science explores how common features manifest in natural and social systems of varying complexity in order to provide scientific foundations for describing, understanding and designing systems. Systems Thinking has grown during the latter part of the 20th century into highly useful discipline independent methods, languages and practices. Systems Thinking focuses upon applying concepts, principles, and paradigms in the analysis of the holistic structural and behavioral properties of complex systems – in particular the patterns of relationships that arise in the interactions of multiple systems. Systems and Software Engineering Systems Engineering has gained momentum during the latter part of the 20th century and has led to engineering related practices and standards that can be used in the life cycle management of complex systems. Software Engineering has continued to grow in importance as the software content of most complex systems has steadily increased and in many cases have become the dominant elements. Both Systems and Software Engineering focus upon transforming the need for a system into products and services that meet the need in an effective, reliable and cost effective manner. While there are similarities between Systems and Software Engineering, the unique properties of software often requires special expertise and approaches to life cycle management. Systems Science, Systems Thinking, as well as Systems and Software Engineering can, and need to, be considered complementary in establishing the capability to individually and collectively “think” and “act” in terms of systems in order to face the complex challenges of modern systems. Systems Series Editorial Board Gabriele Bammer (Australia)* Members marked with as asterisk (*) are also members of the Exploring Unity Through Diversity Editorial Board. This series is a cooperative enterprise between College Publications, the School of Systems and Enterprises at Stevens Institute of Technology and the Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (BCSSS). For further information concerning the Systems Series see http://www.collegepublications.co.uk/systems/ |