Systems Thinking

The purpose of this module is to introduce the occupational competency of using various systems. The goal is to develop an occupational skills set in systems and subsystems thinking on the job. This involves:

  • Differentiating between open and closed systems
  • Comparing systems of nature to systems of science
  • Thinking in systems
  • Understanding the related body of knowledge
  • Using pertinent terms accurately in context
  • Appreciating the value of systems
Systems Thinking

Key Questions - Systems Thinking

  1. What is a system? What is systems thinking?
  2. Why is it important to be competent in thinking in systems?
  3. What is a simple system? A complex system?
  4. What terms are commonly used with Systems Thinking?
  5. What are examples of technical occupations that must think in systems on the job?
  6. What are different kinds of systems?
  7. What are two major types of systems?
  8. What are attributes of a system?
  9. What are the four phases of a system loop?
  10. What are six kinds of inputs?
  11. What are different processes?
  12. What are different kinds of outputs?
  13. What is feedback?
  14. How can systems be improved?
  15. What is a systemic failure?
  16. How can a faulty system be diagnosed?
  17. What is a meta-system?
  18. What is a chain reaction?
  19. What is a self-sustaining system?
  20. How is a procedure or tool different than a system?
  21. What do we know for sure about systems?
  22. What is the Standard Operating Procedure and Job Aid for Systems Thinking?
  23. What is your attitude toward Systems Thinking?
  24. What have you learned?
  25. How should you declare your competence in Systems Thinking?
  26. How can you continuously improve your competence in Systems Thinking?

This module on Systems Thinking is one of five topics in the Cluster of Systems.  The other topics are Biological Systems, Organizing Systems, Electro/Mechanical Systems, and Social Systems.  Your digital credential for mastering this topic is shown here.  Get credentialed now for only $275, reduced for this introductory offer from $350.


Organizing Systems

The purpose of this module is to introduce the occupational competency of using organizing systems. The goal is to develop an occupational skills set in using various approaches and systems for organizing work-related materials on the job. This involves:

  • Knowing alphanumeric, grid, and other systems
  • Using systems to organize, classify, and retrieve technical information, tools, materials, and merchandise
  • Using such systems on the job
  • Understanding the related body of knowledge
  • Using pertinent terms accurately in context
  • Staying up to date on new grid work systems
Organizing Systems

Key Questions - Organizing Systems

  1. What is an Organizing System?
  2. Why is it important to know how to use organizing systems?
  3. What terms are commonly used with organizing systems?
  4. What are examples of technical occupations that use organizing systems?
  5. What are TIMMs that need to be organized?
  6. What is the "system of systems?"
  7. What are structures by which systems are organized?
  8. What are the different categories and sub-systems within each?
    1. Sequence category
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    2. Measurement category
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    3. Composition category
    4. Position category
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    5. Circle category
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    6. Characteristic category
  9. What is meant by the "power" of a system?
  10. How are combinations of systems used?
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  11. Are there situations in which systems are intentionally not used?
  12. How are computer-based information systems used?
  13. Should information be entered into a system, especially a computer-based one?
  14. What do we know for sure about Organizing Systems, and how do they apply?
  15. What is the Standard Operating Procedure and Job Aid for this topic?
  16. What is your attitude toward organizing systems?
  17. What have you learned?
  18. How should you declare your competence in organizing systems?
  19. How can you continuously improve your competence in organizing systems?

This module on Organizing Systems is one of five topics in the Cluster of Systems.  The other topics are Systems Thinking, Electro/Mechanical Systems , Biological Systems, and Social Systems.  Your digital credential for mastering this topic is shown here.  You can subscribe to this module for only $248, rather than the usual price of $350.


Electro/Mechanical Systems

The purpose of this module is to introduce the occupational competency of using electro/mechanical systems. The goal is to develop an occupational skills set in working with such on the job. This involves:

  • Juxtaposing electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, fluid, digital, power, and communication systems
  • Thinking in systems
  • Integrating associated subsystems, such as transmission, lubrication, cooling, heating, governor, exhaust, and others
  • Understanding the related body of knowledge
  • Using pertinent terms accurately in context
  • Appreciating the value of such systems
Electro/Mechanical Systems

Key Questions - Electro/Mechanical Systems

  1. What are Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  2. Why is it important to know and use Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  3. What terms are commonly used with Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  4. What are examples of technical occupations that use Electro/Mechanical Systems?
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  5. What is the input —> process —> output —> feedback cycle?
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  6. What do we know for sure about Electro/Mechanical Systems, and how do these tenets apply?
  7. What is the Standard Operating Procedure and Job Aid for Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  8. What is your attitude toward Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  9. What have you learned?
  10. How should you declare your competence in Electro/Mechanical Systems?
  11. How can you continuously expand your competence in Electro/Mechanical Systems?

This module on Electro/Mechanical Systems is one of five topics in the Cluster of Systems. The other topics are Systems Thinking, Organizing Systems, Biological Systems, and Social Systems. Your digital credential for mastering this topic is shown here. You can subscribe to this module for only $76, rather than the usual price of $350.


Biological Systems

The purpose of this module is to introduce the occupational competency of using biological systems.  The goal is to develop an occupational skills set in working with such systems on the job.  This involves:

  • Juxtaposing plants (flora), animals (fauna), and other living systems.
  • Thinking in systems
  • Integrating associated subsystems, such as digestive, circulatory, respiratory, renal, flowering, and others
  • Understanding the related body of knowledge
  • Using pertinent terms accurately in context
  • Appreciating the value of such systems
Biological Systems

Key Questions - Biological Systems

  1. What are Biological Systems?
  2. Why is it important to know Biological Systems?
  3. What terms are commonly used with Biological Systems?
  4. What are examples of technical occupations that work with Biological Systems?
  5. What is biology?
  6. What are the two major groups of biological systems?
  7. What do we know for sure about Biological Systems and how do these tenets apply?
  8. What is the Standard Operating Procedure and Job Aid for Biological Systems?
  9. What is your attitude toward Biological Systems?
  10. What have you learned?
  11. How should you declare your competence in Biological Systems?
  12. How can you continuously improve your competence in working with Biological Systems

This module on Biological Systems is one of five topics in the Cluster of Systems. The other topics are Systems Thinking, Organizing Systems, Electro/Mechanical Systems, and Social Systems. Your digital credential for mastering this topic is shown here. You can subscribe to this module for only $76, rather than the usual price of $350.


Social Systems

The purpose of this module is to introduce the occupational competency of use of social systems. The goal is to develop an occupational skills set in working with such systems on the job. This involves:

  • Juxtaposing monetary, organizational, legal, and other social systems
  • Thinking in systems
  • Integrating associated subsystems, such as performance, familial, community, spiritual, and others
  • Understanding the related body of knowledge
  • Using pertinent terms accurately in context
  • Appreciating the value of such systems

Key Questions - Social Systems

  1. What is a Social System?
  2. What are examples of Social Systems?
  3. Why is it important to know and use Social Systems?
  4. What terms are commonly used with Social Systems?
  5. What are examples of technical occupations that use Social Systems?
  6. What are performance systems?
  7. What are the three phases of human performance?
  8. What are examples of human performance in the Olympics?
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  9. What is ISO 9000?
  10. What is flat rate time?
  11. What do we know for sure about Social Systems, and how doe these tenets apply on the job?
  12. What is the Standard Operating Procedure and Job Aid for Social Systems?
  13. What is your attitude toward Social Systems?
  14. What have you learned?
  15. How should you declare your competence in Social Systems?
  16. How can you continuously expand your competence in Social Systems

This module on Social Systems is one of five topics in the Cluster of Systems.  The other topics are Systems Thinking, Organizing Systems, Electro/Mechanical Systems, and Biological Systems.  Your digital credential for mastering this topic is shown here.  You can subscribe to this module for only $76, rather than the usual price of $350.