Hi guys, I know there are quite a few smart brains around here, and I think this is valid discussion for this mailing list, even if OT.
I'm not a cientist, nor work inside an academic environment. I'm just a regular guy trying to understand this world and making better use of my resources, specially time. For this, I have read dozens of books on personal productivity, including GTD, Making it All Work, and Work the System. All great books. I've started to notice a pattern though. All of them talk about systems and processes (and some might even use the word framework and methodology / or method), and although you can live by and be quite productivity if you apply the principles, I knew I had to understand in an even lower and basic level. I then asked myself "What the heck is a system" and what is the relationship it has with "process", "methodology" and "frameworks" ? I found out, for example, that "System" and "Process" sometimes are used inter-changeably. So I went to google to try to find out the answer. The simplest answers simply say that "a process is what a system is made of". It did not convince me. By reading the wikipedia article about System ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System), I found out this paragraph under "System concepts": Process and transformation process > A system can also be viewed as a bounded transformation process, that is, > a process or collection of processes that transforms inputs into outputs. > Inputs are consumed; outputs are produced. The concept of input and output > here is very broad. E.g., an output of a passenger ship is the movement of > people from departure to destination. A system can viewed as a process? Hmm, confusing. Right now, my mental model basically says that a "system" is like blueprint with different components that communicate, and a process is what runs on it (or in on of its components). "Framework" is like a collection of systems and a "methodology" is basically akin to system (in my understanding). Why am I obsessing about this? The reason is systems thinking. I think it's a quite interesting mindset and way to perceive the world. By trying to view yourself and what surrounds you as systems (with sub-systems), it's much easier to document (them), get feedback, and improve, automating your life even further, understanding it more, and living better. For example, from this perspective I think, GTD is simply a product of an elevated point of view from the author David Allen. He simply viewed things systematically and documented them. That's why he says it's 'common-sense'. But before that, it would be nice to know exactly what a System is, and it's relationship with "process", "methodology" and "framework", in abstract terms. What do you think? I'm sure there are quite a few people here that might be crazy enough to have the same question, or perhaps, I'm just too crazy. Let me know, any insights very much appreciated. Cheers, - Marcelo.
