System Design with the Operational Sequence Technique

This paper presents a technique of system description which is a significant aid in understanding complex processes and the systems designed for their implementation. As its name implies, the Operational Sequence Technique may be used to recognize any process to be mechanized by a system design as being composed of a number of operations which combine sequentially and simultaneously to achieve the functions of the system and, hence, meet the system's objectives. By concentrating upon the identification of the sequential nature of process operations, a flow chart can be constructed which graphically depicts the system operation. The construction of such flow charts at successive levels of abstraction provides a unique means for considering system details, while maintaining perspective, and for defining system interfaces and functional tradeoffs.