Problem 1
Give two examples of government functions that are supported by complex sociotechnical systems and explain why, in the foreseeable future, these functions cannot be completely automated.
Problem 3
Why is it impossible to infer the emergent properties of a complex system from the properties of the system components?
Problem 5
What is a 'wicked problem'? Explain why the development of a national medical records system should be considered a 'wicked problem'.
Problem 6
A multimedia virtual museum system offering virtual experiences of ancient Greece is to be developed for a consortium of European museums. The system should provide users with the facility to view 3-D models of ancient Greece through a standard web browser and should also support an immersive virtual reality experience. What political and organizational difficulties might arise when the system is installed in the museums that make up the consortium?
Problem 7
Why is system integration a particularly critical part of the systems development process? Suggest three sociotechnical issues that may cause difficulties in the system integration process.
Problem 8
. Explain why legacy systems may be critical to the operation of a business.
Problem 9
What are the arguments for and against considering system engineering as a profession in its own right, like electrical engineering or software engineering?
Problem 10
You are an engineer involved in the development of a financial system. During installation, you discover that this system will make a significant number of people redundant. The people in the environment deny you access to essential information to complete the system installation. To what extent should you, as a systems engineer, become involved in this situation? Is it your professional responsibility to complete the installation as contracted? Should you simply abandon the work until the procuring organization has sorted out the problem?
