---
title: "System concept and production system model"
subject: "Industrial Engineering and Management"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management:system-concept-production-system"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/system-concept-production-system
site: BCT Engineering
---

# System concept and production system model

Industrial Engineering and Management · Chapter 1: Introduction to Industrial Engineering and Management

- Asked in: year not given, 5 marks
- Video: [Production system generalised model: Industrial Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK79faXWTFI) — Reshu Sharma Knowledge Hub
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/system-concept-production-system
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/industrial_engineering_and_management/chapter-1

## Question

Explain the system concept. Show a production system as an input-transformation-output model and explain the role of feedback.

## Short answer

A system is a set of interrelated components working toward a common objective with inputs, transformation, outputs, and feedback for control. A production system converts 5 Ms (men, materials, machines, money, methods) into goods/services; feedback compares output measurements (quality, cost, delivery) to standards to adjust inputs or process.

## Answer

A **system** is a set of interrelated components working together towards a common objective within a boundary, with an environment outside the boundary. The system concept helps an industrial engineer see the whole factory as connected parts rather than as separate departments, so that improving one part does not harm the rest (avoiding sub-optimisation).

#### Characteristics of a system
- It has a clear objective and a boundary.
- Its parts (sub-systems) are interdependent.
- It takes inputs and converts them into outputs.
- It interacts with the environment (market, government, suppliers).
- It uses feedback for control.

#### Production system model
```text
 INPUTS            TRANSFORMATION           OUTPUTS
 Men        +---------------------+    Goods
 Materials  |  Machining,         |    Services
 Machines ->|  assembly, testing, |->  Waste/scrap
 Money      |  packing            |
 Methods,   +---------------------+
 Information
      ^                                    |
      |       FEEDBACK / CONTROL           |
      +-----(quality, cost, delivery)------+
```

- **Inputs:** the 5 Ms - men, materials, machines, money and methods (plus information and energy).
- **Transformation:** the conversion process that adds value.
- **Outputs:** products, services, by-products and waste.
- **Feedback:** the measured output (quality, cost, delivery time) is compared with the standard. If there is a difference, corrective action is taken on the inputs or the process. For example, a rising rejection rate in a machine shop leads to a tool change or operator training.

**Example:** In a furniture workshop, wood, labour and machines (inputs) are used to cut, assemble and polish (process) to give furniture (output); customer complaints act as feedback.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why is the system concept useful to an industrial engineer?
   A. It lets each department optimise itself separately
   B. It removes the need for feedback
   C. It shows the factory as connected parts so improving one part does not harm the rest
   D. It ignores the environment outside the factory
   Answer: C. Seeing the factory as interdependent parts avoids sub-optimisation, where improving one part harms the whole. (Key point: System definition)

2. In the input-transformation-output model, which is an example of the transformation stage?
   A. Machining, assembly, testing and packing
   B. Men, materials and machines
   C. Goods, services and scrap
   D. Customer complaints
   Answer: A. Transformation is the value-adding conversion process such as machining, assembly, testing and packing. (Key point: Production system model)

3. What does feedback do in a production system?
   A. Increases the number of inputs automatically
   B. Replaces the standard with the actual output
   C. Only records the cost of waste
   D. Compares measured output with the standard so corrective action can be taken on inputs or process
   Answer: D. Output measures (quality, cost, delivery) are compared with the standard and any difference triggers corrective action. (Key point: Role of feedback)

4. A machine shop sees a rising rejection rate. According to the feedback idea, what is a suitable response?
   A. Change the tool or train the operator
   B. Ignore it until the market complains
   C. Close the boundary of the system
   D. Reduce the number of outputs
   Answer: A. Corrective action on the process or inputs, such as tool change or operator training, is the feedback response. (Key point: Feedback example)

## Related in other subjects

- [Derivative feedback for ramp input](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcontrol_systems%3Aderivative-feedback-ramp) — Control Systems, chapter 7
- [Feedback concept and square wave oscillator](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Afeedback-theory-square-wave) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 4
- [State model of two-mass spring system, output x2](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcontrol_systems%3Ass-m1-m2-k1-k2-x2) — Control Systems, chapter 8
- [Why searching; production system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fartificial_intelligence%3Asearching-necessity-production-system) — Artificial Intelligence, chapter 2