Ch. 6.1 Non-mechanical Systems

Non-mechanical Systems

• non-mechanical system – a procedure or process designed to perform a task along with the people involved– examples: public transportation systems; school

systems; your class binders

Components of a Non-mechanical Systems

• components – part of a system– in order for a system to perform its task

successfully, the component of the system must interact

Components of a School System

– buildings– books– desks– playgrounds– equipment– subjects– textbooks– rules– class schedule– buses

– teachers– students– principal– administrative staff– custodians– security officers– school board– bus driver

Systems Require Organization

• in order for a system to work properly, the components of that system must work together in an organized manner– example: a ferry schedule tells commuters what

time a ferry will arrive at an leave a dock• a ferry schedule that has the wrong arrival/departure

times does not function properly and leads to confusion, missed appointments, and wasted time

Systems Require Organization

• in order for a system to work properly, the components of that system must work together in an organized manner– example: a ferry schedule tells commuters what

time a ferry will arrive at and leave a dock; the ferry must stick to that schedule as closely as possible for the system to be efficient

Systems Develop from a Need

• society develops systems to improve our standard of living

• needs are recognized in society, and from these needs society develops systems as a response to that need

Keeping Systems Working Efficiently• once a system is in place, it needs to be

monitored frequently to make sure it is meeting the needs of its consumers– consumers – an individual who uses the goods or

services provided by a system• example: a passenger on a bus; a student at a school

– in order for a system to work efficiently, the consumer must be provided with information and support on how to use it (instructions, tech support, etc.)

• over time, a system may need to be re-organized to better meet the needs of its consumers

Keeping Systems Working Efficiently

• What good would a ferry service be if its consumers (the passengers) never knew what time the ferry was to arrive and depart?– the ferry service provides timetables for arrival/departure

of the ferry– a ferry schedule that has the wrong arrival/departure

times posted on the internet or on the sign at the dock does not function properly and leads to confusion, missed appointments, and wasted time

• regular monitoring of a system helps to keep the system efficient