Article
 

A Systems Approach to Civil Engineering Decisions

Public Deposited

Downloadable Content

Download PDF
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/articles/w95051399

Descriptions

Attribute NameValues
Creator
Abstract
  • While contemporary civil engineering projects are increasingly complex, the cognitive abilities of the decision maker remain limited. There is a conflict between the complexity that is required to describe a scenario with all its relevant properties and the limited number of ideas that can be included in rational considerations and decisions. A resolution requires the decision maker to construct a limited model that includes the most significant features. In this paper, a systems approach provides a general decision-making scheme that makes involvement in broadly based decisions accessible. This scheme is valid at all scales and in all classes of problems. This paper establishes a practical method for generating systems that contain all features relevant to a professional decision. The criterion of decision invariance is offered as a guide for establishing the size of the system model considered by the decision maker. It is argued that surprises cannot be avoided and must form an integral part of the decision.
  • Keywords: Human Factors, Conceptual Design, Surprise, System Analysis, Political Factors, Professional Practice, Civil Engineering, Uncertainty, Decision Making, Infrastructure
  • Keywords: Human Factors, Conceptual Design, Surprise, System Analysis, Political Factors, Professional Practice, Civil Engineering, Uncertainty, Decision Making, Infrastructure
Resource Type
DOI
Date Available
Date Issued
Citation
  • Rodriguez-Nikl, T. and Brown, C. (2012). ”Systems Approach to Civil Engineering Decisions.” Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 138(4), 257–261. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000116
Journal Title
Journal Volume
  • 138
Journal Issue/Number
  • 4
Academic Affiliation
Rights Statement
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Language
Replaces

Relationships

Parents:

This work has no parents.

Items

Thumbnail Title Date Uploaded Visibility Actions
file details BrownColinCivilConstructionEngineeringSystemsApproachCivil.pdf 2017-07-13 Public Download