The magic ring. Systems thinking approach to control systems (Q2442146)

This book represents a continuation of the previous book of the same author [Systems Thinking. Intelligence in Action. Springer (2012)], which presents the general view of the world considered as a ``system of systems''. The current book develops the theory, language and rules behind the functioning of control systems. It is a self-contained work whose basic concepts are presented at the beginning and gradually introduces a true discipline of the control systems that is accessible to a large group of nonspecialists. This book presents a gradual path toward ``educating'' the reader in understanding how control systems truly operate and in recognizing, simulating and improving them in all fields of activity. The book is structured in ten chapters, a very rich list of references, glossary, index and a great number of figures helping the readers' understanding. The first five chapters form Part I, including the general theory of control systems. Chapters 6--9 form the Part II of the book, which intend to help the readers to recognize the control systems in various phenomena from the real life. Chapter 10 is a concluding one. Chapter 1 presents the principles of systems thinking along with the rules, formal language. This discipline will be the instruments for presenting the logic of control systems in a manner that is understandable to a large number of readers. Chapter 2 deals with the feedback control problem as a general form of efficient control. The feedback control system model represents the general foundation for every ordered and stable dynamic in the world and thus the fundamental instrument for which the world itself maintains its existence. This approach allows the development of a true ``art'' of control. The general logical structure of control systems is integrated with its technical structure, which is made up of four apparatuses: effector, sensor, regulator and information network, which make up the \textit{chain of control}. The model also includes three types of delays and disturbances: action, detection and regulation, which characterize the processes carried out by the apparatuses. Other new and important concepts are introduced: (1) the management and governance processes, (2) the interferences between control systems and (3) different areas of application of the general model. Chapter 3 presents several fundamental classes of control systems distinguished by the type of human intervention in the control or by the nature of the objective: natural and artificial systems, manual or automatic cybernetic systems quantitative and qualitative systems, attainment and recognition systems, steering and halt control systems, fixed and variable objective systems, tendential and combinatory systems as well as systems distinguished by other features. Finally, various forms of interconnection among control systems are considered. Chapter 4 presents a broader view of control systems by introducing two important generalizations: multi-lever control systems and multi-objective control systems. Multi-lever control systems can have dependent or independent levers. Multi-objective control systems can be with independent or interdependent objectives. With multi-lever control systems is important to understand the concept of control strategy, that is, programming the activation of the various levers to achieve the objective. In multi-objectives control systems the choice of strategy is coupled with the definition of the control policy, which chooses the order of priorities regarding actions on the various objectives. Chapter 5 outlines the guidelines for recognizing, observing or designing control systems and presents the problems that arise regarding their logical realization. It will introduce the fundamental distinction between symptomatic and structural control. Further, the concepts of efficiency and effectiveness of control systems and various techniques for increasing the effectiveness of control are examined. The objective of the Chapter 6 is to indicate to the reader a path for recognizing ``RINGS'' in their action which through their presence make all aspects of our world possible in all its facets. It considers daily individual actions, domestic and civic environment in order to arrive at control systems that maintain the psychic-physical system. Chapter 7 guides the readers through the physical, biological and social environments. Particular attention is given to control systems that operate in societies and in combinatory systems, a special class of systems which has not yet been adequately examined. Chapter 8 considers the environment of organizations, trying to demonstrate how organizations are themselves control systems. It also illustrate the logic behind the many control systems that operate in the network of processes in organizations and which are necessary to maintain autopoiesis and increase the efficiency of the entire organization. Chapter 9 deals with three specific topics: the cognition process, understood as the result of the action of control systems that recognize differences and order them based on Gregory Bateson's notion of ``mind''; the signification process allowing to translate the cognitive content into signs and to form languages; the scientific process and the explanatory power of models. The Chapter 10 concludes the ``journey'' into the logical world of control systems. Some final considerations to stimulate further reflection are presented. Two main topics are discussed: some ideas about a discipline of control systems and the second one, the human aspects of control. To read and understand this book no prerequisites are required. A number of examples are aimed in systems found in organizations and companies, thus the text can aid in the professional growth of managers, consultants and corporate employees in general. Teachers, professionals and educated people in general can also find sources for reflection. The book is worth reading ``slowly'' because the richness of the contained ideas cannot be incorporated in this short presentation.