The Universal Systems Model

1
The Universal Systems Model

• Technology Engineering Education
• EHMIS

2
What is it?

• The Universal Systems Model is a way to describe
  how a system works
• Every Technology, no matter how simple or
  complex, fits into this descriptive model

3
What are the parts?

• Must start with the goal of the system
• Input
• Process
• Output
• Feedback
• The system can be open or closed loop

4
Input
Process
Output
The result that comes out of the system
The steps that lead to a result
Resources
or
Positive
Negative
Tools
Information
People
closed-loop system
Time
Energy
Feedback
Money
Materials
Compare the results to the original need
adjustments are made
5
An Example Skateboarding

• Goal
• The goal is to ride the skateboard down the
  street
• Input
• Get on the board and kick off
• Process
• The wheels spin and the board travels down the
  road
• Output
• The board moves forward and you ride it
• Feedback
• All of the information you receive that cause you
  to make adjustments. (Example you see a puddle
  and shift your weight to steer around it)

6
Closed-Looped vs Open-Looped

• Open loop
• systems have no way of adjusting to changing
  conditions (closing your eyes riding a skate
  board)
• Closed loop
• systems can change under different conditions
  (eyes open riding a skate board)