How to do a Systems Diagram

Before I go into the "How to do a Systems Diagram", I would like to convey to you an understanding of what a system is. This explanation is vital for a great understanding of ANY system, be it a political, a Quality Management, a financial system or otherwise. 

There are four main characteristics of a system that help our understanding. Please take particular note of these as they are very important:

• A system is an assembly of components that are connected in an organized way.

• The components are affected by being in the system and the behavior will be changed once any leave.

• This organized assembly of components does something.

• This assembly has been defined as being of particular importance or interest.

I find this type of diagram to be extremely useful when trying to assess any particular situation. As with many of the other problem solving or concept mapping techniques, it enables you to give a good overview that you can communicate quickly.

In particular, I have frequently used the concepts given in the definition of what a system is. Think of a system as being a balanced state that changes completely if one of the components leave that system.

This diagram can really help you evaluate what you are dealing with. At a very minimum you will develop a very sophisticated overview of any system which will be easily understood by all.

What is a Systems Diagram?

This method shows the components of a system and its surroundings at any one particular time, like a snapshot.

Some of the components can be grouped into subsystems or may have some overlapping content as shown in the diagram.

By virtue of the diagram, you can structure a situation and communicate to others better, what the system entails.

What you need:

• The rules of doing a systems diagram

• Usual Charting materials (pens, paper or charts).

Rules

Here is the basic concept:

1. The circles or “blobs” outlines a boundary separating this from other components or similar elements within the system.

2. Words are used to give each element or component a title.

3. The circles or “blobs” outside the system represent elements or components of the environment in which the system exists.

4. Within the system, you can have subsystems which are sets of components that belong together or function together to achieve some purpose or provide some means to an end.

5. The circles or “blobs” may overlap if there is some common ground between these elements or components. However, use these overlaps sparingly as they are likely to reduce the clarity of your Diagram.

How to do a Systems Diagram

• Be clear about your boundaries – especially your system boundary. This can be highlighted with thicker lines. The main thing is that the system wall is easily visible. A dashed line can be used in situations where the boundary is subjective and tentative.

• As mentioned earlier on, use overlaps sparingly. Never, ever use multiple overlaps as it will be virtually impossible to interpret overlaps of more than two overlaps.

• Use irregular “blobs” rather than boxes as boxes imply that the systems or sub-systems are clearly defined and that is rarely the case.

• You can use the size of the blobs to indicate the importance, size or other characteristics of the component it represents. Therefore, show important systems at a reasonable size and less important ones somewhat smaller. This makes it easier for the reader to understand what mean to convey.

• While there are no firm rules on the positioning of components, it makes sense to place important components in a central position and to place the related components close together.

• Leave space within your map. Not only does this allow components or elements to stand out clearly, but later you can add more if you wish or want to.

• Give a legend with the titles of all the components or elements in your illustration.

• Do not use lines, dashes, connectors or arrows in the systems diagram. (see Method of doing Influence Diagrams).

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