Characteristics or Properties of a System

                                Unit- I

Introduction to system, Definition and characteristics of a system, Elements of system, Types of system, System development life cycle, Role of system analyst, Analyst/user interface, System planning and initial investigation: Introduction, Bases for planning in system analysis, Sources of project requests, Initial investigation, Fact finding, Information gathering, information gathering tools, Fact analysis, Determination of feasibility.

Characteristics or Properties of a System

A system has the following properties –

1. Specific Purpose/ Objectives

Every system has a purpose or objective. For example, increasing the scale of a specific product is an objective of advertisement system.

2. Components 

Every system is a collection of subsystem or components, and each component which collectively function to achieve objective of the system.

3. Organization

Organization implies structure and order. It is the arrangement of components that helps to achieve predetermined objectives.

4. Interaction

It is defined by the manner in which the components operate with each other.

For example, in an organization, purchasing department must interact with production department and payroll with personnel department.

5. Interdependence

Interdependence means how the components of a system depend on one another. For proper functioning, the components are coordinated and linked together according to a specified plan. The output of one subsystem is the required by other subsystem as input.

6. Integration

Integration is concerned with how system components are connected together. It means that the parts of the system work together within the system even if each part performs a unique function.

7. Life Cycle

Every system has its life cycle as human being, birth, life and death.