Re: [OT] Defining System, process, methodology and framework

[Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <celoserpa@gmail.com>]

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Well, looks like my text was kind of stupid and or confusing...

Anyway, I started reading "An Introduction To General Systems Thinking" -
surprisingly interesting book, and it's helping me answer most of those
questions in deeper ways. I needed to do some additional investigation
before starting to ask questions ;)

I'll share the insights after I finish it,

Thanks!

Marcelo.

On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 9:24 PM, Marcelo de Moraes Serpa <
celoserpa@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> I know there are quite a few smart brains around here, and I think this is
> valid discussion for this mailing list, even if OT.
>
> I'm not a cientist, nor work inside an academic environment. I'm just a
> regular guy trying to understand this world and making better use of my
> resources, specially time. For this, I have read dozens of books on
> personal productivity, including GTD, Making it All Work, and Work the
> System. All great books.
>
> I've started to notice a pattern though. All of them talk about systems
> and processes (and some might even use the word framework and methodology /
> or method), and although you can live by and be quite productivity if you
> apply the principles, I knew I had to understand in an even lower and basic
> level. I then asked myself "What the heck is a system" and what is the
> relationship it has with "process", "methodology" and "frameworks" ?
>
> I found out, for example, that "System" and "Process" sometimes are used
> inter-changeably. So I went to google to try to find out the answer. The
> simplest answers simply say that "a process is what a system is made of".
> It did not convince me.
>
> By reading the wikipedia article about System (
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System), I found out this paragraph under
> "System concepts":
>
> Process and transformation process
>> A system can also be viewed as a bounded transformation process, that is,
>> a process or collection of processes that transforms inputs into outputs.
>> Inputs are consumed; outputs are produced. The concept of input and output
>> here is very broad. E.g., an output of a passenger ship is the movement of
>> people from departure to destination.
>
>
> A system can viewed as a process? Hmm, confusing.
>
> Right now, my mental model basically says that a "system" is like
> blueprint with different components that communicate, and a process is what
> runs on it (or in on of its components). "Framework" is like a collection
> of systems and a "methodology" is basically akin to system (in my
> understanding).
>
> Why am I obsessing about this?
>
> The reason is systems thinking. I think it's a quite interesting mindset
> and way to perceive the world. By trying to view yourself and what
> surrounds you as systems (with sub-systems), it's much easier to document
> (them), get feedback, and improve, automating your life even further,
> understanding it more, and living better.
>
> For example, from this perspective I think, GTD is simply a product of an
> elevated point of view from the author David Allen. He simply viewed things
> systematically and documented them. That's why he says it's 'common-sense'.
>
> But before that, it would be nice to know exactly what a System is, and
> it's relationship with "process", "methodology" and "framework", in
> abstract terms.
>
>  What do you think? I'm sure there are quite a few people here that might
> be crazy enough to have the same question, or perhaps, I'm just too crazy.
> Let me know, any insights very much appreciated.
>
> Cheers,
>
> - Marcelo.
>
>

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