Theme:Systems and Complexity

Context

This theme provides learners with the fundamental knowledge needed to describe and discuss complex systems. This is the foundation for all other Knowledge Management practice.

Competencies

Expected competencies after study of this theme are:

• Understanding of the concept of a system
• Understanding of what makes a system 'complex', and behavioural characteristics of various types of complex systems
• Able to recognise types of systems and describe system boundaries
• Able to define agents present in a complex system
• Able to define abstracted and encapsulated characteristics of systems

Key topics

• What is a system?
• ‘Open’ and ‘closed’ systems
• Defining system boundaries
• Complex systems
• Types of complex systems
• Are all systems complex?
• Understanding complex system agents
• Navigating complexity