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What’s this “systems” stuff, anyhow?

H. James Harrington (H. James Harrington is an International Quality Advisor Principal at Ernst & Young LLP, San Jose, California, USA. Joseph J. Carr is Senior Systems Engineer, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, USA. Robert P. Reid is an internationally known independent consultant on organizational effectiveness. He is a skilled teacher of TQM and many other related topics. He is based at Keller Graduate School and University of Maryland, USA)
Joseph J. Carr (Joseph J. Carr is Senior Systems Engineer, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, USA.)
Robert P. Reid (Robert P. Reid is an internationally known independent consultant on organizational effectiveness. He is a skilled teacher of TQM and many other related topics. He is based at Keller Graduate School and University of Maryland, USA)

The TQM Magazine

ISSN: 0954-478X

Article publication date: 1 February 1999

808

Abstract

Discusses a simple overview of systems and systems theory. Describes what a system is and does. Suggests seven principles to use when designing or evaluating a system including tips such as: organize to reduce complexity, do not over‐optimize the system, and leave details of managing sub‐elements to the specialists who know how. Illustrates with graphic examples.

Keywords

Citation

Harrington, H.J., Carr, J.J. and Reid, R.P. (1999), "What’s this “systems” stuff, anyhow?", The TQM Magazine, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 54-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544789910246642

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited

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