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Introduction to Socio-technical Systems

Introduction to Socio-technical Systems. Brian Whitworth Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand. Definition. A socio-technical system (STS) is a social system that operates upon a technical base

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Introduction to Socio-technical Systems

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  1. Introduction to Socio-technical Systems Brian Whitworth Institute of Information and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

  2. Definition • A socio-technical system (STS) is a social system that operates upon a technical base • Email is social communication by technology means. • The term was introduced by the Tavistock Institute in the 1950’s as manufacturing needs of industry confronted the social needs of local communities, e.g. in English coalmines • See http://www.strategosinc.com/socio-technical.htm

  3. Facebook – Now 30 Million Jeremy Zawodny

  4. Systems Theory • Socio-technical theory traces back to general systems theory (Bertalanffy, 1968) • Systems composed of autonomous yet interdependent parts, that mutually interact to create an equally autonomous self-directing whole. • System is the parts plustheir interactions • It emerges from its components by feed-back and feed-forward dynamics • Holistic systems can self-organize, self-reference and self-maintain

  5. Example: Pilot-Plane • Mechanical (plane) system beside a human (pilot) • Different systems with different needs • Human Computer Interaction (HCI) => the pilot must understand the plane which must fit the pilot • In STS, plane plus pilot is a single system, with human and mechanical levels.  • The pilot's body is just as physical as the plane. • Pilot adds a human thought level that sits above the plane’s mechanical level, allowing "pilot + plane" system to strategize and analyze. • Modern planes have computer information processing systems apart from HCI human and mechanical frame • Many planes together allow a social group level

  6. Socio-technical levels

  7. Functionality Reliability Extendibility Connectivity Privacy Security Flexibility Usability Web of System Performance

  8. WOSP LEVELS

  9. System Requirements

  10. Three Process Model

  11. Communication Linkage

  12. Communication Forms

  13. Synergy/Defect Examples

  14. Socio-technical Design Socio-technical Design Technical Requirements Social Requirements Traditional Design

  15. The Future • The future of software will be more about social than technical design • If society believes in freedom, online personas should belong to the person concerned • If society gives the right to not communicate so should email • If society supports privacy, people should be able to remove their personal data from online lists • If society gives people rights to the fruits of their labors one should be able to sign and own one’s electronic work • If society believes in democracy, online communities should elect their leaders • Social principles should drive technical design.

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