Wondering if there’s more to systems than just order and structure?

Are you looking for some thoughtful ways to view structure in a whole new light?

We use systems all the time in our daily life.

And there are some basic truths which you must be aware of if you want to efficiently use a system.

In this post, you’ll find a collection of ten truths about systems, their development, and maintenance.

These items will certain give you some food for thought!

Systems are living organisms

Ok, so systems really aren’t alive, but they are just like living beings.

Systems have to be fed information, data, actions and so forth into order to function correctly.

Basically, you get out what you put into a system.

Systems don’t have to be complicated

You might think a system has to have a complicated set of rules, but this is not necessarily the case.

A system only has to have a series of related items.

Take for example a system that everyone is well aware of: the system of doing laundry!

Here’s the system in a nutshell: dirty clothes go in the hamper, dirty clothes are washed and dried, clean clothes go in the closet/dresser.

The process is then repeated as necessary.

That’s simple, isn’t it?

A system can be set up in advance

You can always set up a system in advance of a project of assignment.

You get key components set up and ready to go.

All that’s left to do is to drop in information or materials as you go.

A system can be set up at a later date

Additionally, a system can be set up once a project has started or is well under way.

Starting a system at a later date allows you to use practical knowledge of work experiences.

Knowing what worked and what didn’t work, can help you create a more robust system.

Systems should be reviewed for optimal performance

Over time, the needs and requirements of a system change.

Review existing systems regularly. Can you streamline any processes or add steps to help things run more smoothly?

Systems don’t automatically run on their own

A system is only as good as the attention and work you put into it.

You must devote both time and energy to get the system into place and to run it effectively.

Systems sometimes fail

A system with the best laid plans will fail at one point or another.

This can occur in one of two ways.

The first is the way data is added to the system.

The second is the way in which the system handles or processes information.

This isn’t something to get upset or frustrated about, it’s simply a fact of life.

systemS requires Thought and creativity

In may sound silly, but you’ve got to be systematic in your thinking when creating a system.

Likewise, you need to think about what things will look like on a regular basis within the system.

You also need to consider different future outcomes, situations, and challenges.

That’s where the real creativity of systems comes into play.

Systems should be accessible to others

Want to have a system that easy for other people to use?

Take a giant step back and ensure the system is clear and easy to understand.

It’s all too easy to get caught up in the design of the system.

Make sure you explain or provide clear information to others that explains how the system works and is to be used.

There is no one perfect system

Remember, there’s always multiple ways of doing something. Every system can change, grow, and evolve over time.

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How about you? Which of the above points resonated most with you? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!