Whole-System Thinking

Understanding a system by examining the connections between the parts that compose the entirety of the system.

• System

• Input

• Open System

• Systems Thinking

A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal.  Change happens if you add or remove a part.

• Open System

• Systems

• Systems Thinking

• Closed system

An exchange of one thing in return for another: especially relinquishment of one benefit or advantage for another regarded as more desirable.

• Boundary

• Flows

• Trade-off

• Sustainable

A method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged and will still be available for future generations.

• Sustainable

• Resources

• Componenet

• Flows

Border that separates the system from the rest of the world. The boundary may be visible or invisible.

• Output

• Input

• Trade-off

• Boundary

Elements of the system that work together to achieve a goal or desired outcome.

• Resources

• Flow

• Component

• System

Quantities that are transferred or exchanged between system components or between the system and the outside environment.

• Flows

• Sustainable

• Systems Thinking

• Resources

Interactions that cause a transfer of resources within the system and/or across the system boundary.

• Input

• Flows

• Output

• System

1. Something (such as energy, money, information, and so on) that is put into a system so that it can operate. 2. Information or signals entered into a computer system. Examples of an input device are a button, keys on a keyboard, touch screen, and accelerometer.

• Resources

• Input

• Output

• System

1. Something produced by a person, machine, factory, country, or other system or process. 

• Input

• Component

• Output

• Closed eSystem