How to Do Systems Analysis: Primer and Casebook

Presents the foundational systemic thinking needed to conceive systems that address complex socio-technical problems

This book emphasizes the underlying systems analysis components and associated thought processes. The authors describe an approach that is appropriate for complex systems in diverse disciplines complemented by a case-based pedagogy for teaching systems analysis that includes numerous cases that can be used to teach both the art and methods of systems analysis.

• Covers the six major phases of systems analysis, as well as goal development, the index of performance, evaluating candidate solutions, managing systems teams, project management, and more
• Presents the core concepts of a general systems analysis methodology
• Introduces, motivates, and illustrates the case pedagogy as a means of teaching and practicing systems analysis concepts
• Provides numerous cases that challenge readers to practice systems thinking and the systems methodology

How to Do Systems Analysis: Primer and Casebook is a reference for professionals in all fields that need systems analysis, such as telecommunications, transportation, business consulting, financial services, and healthcare. This book also serves as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in systems analysis courses in business schools, engineering schools, policy programs, and any course that promotes systems thinking.

Table of Contents

Part I: Primer
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Six Major Phases of Systems Analysis
Chapter 3: Goal Development
Chapter 4: The Index of Performance
Chapter 5: Develop and Evaluate Alternative Candidate Solutions
Chapter 6: The 10 Golden Rules of Systems Analysis
Part Two: Casebook

Case 1: Great Buys
Case 2: Surf’s Up?
Case 3: Extended Engineering Education
Case 4: Systems Engineering Majors Proliferating
Case 5: Motor Carrier Safety and Compliance
Case 6: Is Getting There Half the Fun?
Case 7: Is Getting There Half the Fun? (Revisited)
Case 8: Which Camper Should We Choose?
Case 9: Seat Belt Issue
Case 10: Baseball Free Agent Draft-20xx
Case 11: For the Birds?
Case 12: Wal-Mart Crisis
Case 13: Ocean Cleanup
Case 14: BRAC
Case 15: Opportunity?
Case 16: Risky Business
Case 17: Corporate Headquarters
Case 18: The Ad Forecaster
Case 19: For the Birds (Revisited)
Case 20: Best MBA?
Case 21: Health Insurance? What Health Insurance?
Case 22: Social Media in Emergency Management
Case 23: Which Bridges to Repair?
Case 24: Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation Project
Case 25: HEV versus HOV?
Case 26: “Show Me the Money!´´
Case 27: The Collections Subsidiary
Case 28: MNB One Credit Card Portfolio
Case 29: Select Collections
Case 30: To Distance or Not to Distance? Is That the Question?