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Engineering Systems Integration
Objects as Models
We investigate objects as models and discuss two perspectives: black box
and as related to function.
Objects as Black Boxes
With regard to using objects, we distinguish between natural occurrences
based on its rules and that of human endeavors that are guided by rules of
humans and rules of nature that build systems, and driven by human intentions. We also recognize that humans are not the only animal, and include
all living organisms irrespective of their cognitive prowess, physical abilities, relevant skills, and available tools. The expectation is to provide an allinclusive discussion about interaction and integration using the analogy of
human-built objects.
While the focus is on objects, the model is constructed from two perspectives: (1) an observer who sees perhaps only some of what the object is
receiving and sending (“black box”* approach (Ashby 1957)) and (2) a functional representation (Van Wie et al. 2005) of the object’s uses. From a limited
amount of information, the observer begins to infer something about the
contents of the object and how the outputs relate to the inputs. Often the
observer will recognize patterns in the inputs and outputs. From the perspective of the object (that may “know” nothing of the patterns that are produced because of its output(s)), its internal workings may be fully or only
partly engaged. Different patterns may result (again without the tacit oversight from that of an object). Those objects that do not ‘manage’ † their inputs
or outputs lack the substance to achieve or to remain stable. The perspective
of an object is one that should reveal natural groupings based on what objects
can and cannot do in their environment of rules and intentions.
The black box approach is restricted by its means to provide thorough
explanations, thereby limiting its utility to a very simplistic view. For these
purposes, the superficiality does not hamper our discussions, but rather
points to a great body of literature on mechanisms. In this book, we establish
that objects have mechanisms which mediate for both inputs and outputs
(send and receive, respectively). We make no effort to detail or investigate
mechanisms; there are far too many observed, proposed, and hypothesized.
Every field and discipline has had or is still engaged in debate about mechanisms, to which our discussion on integration would hope to benefit.
Consequently, the specifics of the output are likewise not detailed (as these
* Black box method of testing is the analysis of input transformation to output based on not
knowing the internal workings, logic, or configuration of the object.
† The subfunctions of ‘to manage’ mean ‘to plan,’ ‘to organize,’ ‘to direct,’ ‘to control,’ ‘to communicate,’ and ‘to team build,’ that is, ‘to create consensus,’ ‘to foster teamness,’ ‘provide for
(or support) stability,’ or the logical equivalence.
Engineering Systems Integration
Objects as Models
We investigate objects as models and discuss two perspectives: black box
and as related to function.
Objects as Black Boxes
With regard to using objects, we distinguish between natural occurrences
based on its rules and that of human endeavors that are guided by rules of
humans and rules of nature that build systems, and driven by human intentions. We also recognize that humans are not the only animal, and include
all living organisms irrespective of their cognitive prowess, physical abilities, relevant skills, and available tools. The expectation is to provide an allinclusive discussion about interaction and integration using the analogy of
human-built objects.
While the focus is on objects, the model is constructed from two perspectives: (1) an observer who sees perhaps only some of what the object is
receiving and sending (“black box”* approach (Ashby 1957)) and (2) a functional representation (Van Wie et al. 2005) of the object’s uses. From a limited
amount of information, the observer begins to infer something about the
contents of the object and how the outputs relate to the inputs. Often the
observer will recognize patterns in the inputs and outputs. From the perspective of the object (that may “know” nothing of the patterns that are produced because of its output(s)), its internal workings may be fully or only
partly engaged. Different patterns may result (again without the tacit oversight from that of an object). Those objects that do not ‘manage’ † their inputs
or outputs lack the substance to achieve or to remain stable. The perspective
of an object is one that should reveal natural groupings based on what objects
can and cannot do in their environment of rules and intentions.
The black box approach is restricted by its means to provide thorough
explanations, thereby limiting its utility to a very simplistic view. For these
purposes, the superficiality does not hamper our discussions, but rather
points to a great body of literature on mechanisms. In this book, we establish
that objects have mechanisms which mediate for both inputs and outputs
(send and receive, respectively). We make no effort to detail or investigate
mechanisms; there are far too many observed, proposed, and hypothesized.
Every field and discipline has had or is still engaged in debate about mechanisms, to which our discussion on integration would hope to benefit.
Consequently, the specifics of the output are likewise not detailed (as these
* Black box method of testing is the analysis of input transformation to output based on not
knowing the internal workings, logic, or configuration of the object.
† The subfunctions of ‘to manage’ mean ‘to plan,’ ‘to organize,’ ‘to direct,’ ‘to control,’ ‘to communicate,’ and ‘to team build,’ that is, ‘to create consensus,’ ‘to foster teamness,’ ‘provide for
(or support) stability,’ or the logical equivalence.