Humans Within Systems: Good or Bad?

In systems engineering, humans can be a source of both complexity and adaptability. On the one hand, humans introduce unpredictability and variability into systems, making them more difficult to design and control. Human behaviour, decision-making, and communication are often difficult to model and can lead to unexpected outcomes.

On the other hand, humans can also bring valuable skills and insights to a system, such as creativity, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Human operators can make important decisions in response to unexpected events that a purely automated system may not be able to handle. In some cases, human input may be necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.

This could be summarised as two different views: which one do you support?

View 1: Human involvement in systems is a liability that can introduce unnecessary complexity and risk.

This view argues that human beings are inherently unpredictable and prone to errors, which makes them a source of unnecessary complexity in system functioning.

For example, consider the role of humans in automated vehicles. While self-driving cars have the potential to reduce accidents and make transportation more efficient, human operators may still need to intervene in certain situations, such as during inclement weather or unexpected road conditions. This introduces an additional layer of complexity to the system, and increases the risk of accidents or malfunctions. Therefore, this view argues that it is better to design systems that can operate autonomously without human intervention, whenever possible.

View 2: Human involvement in systems is a necessary and valuable asset that brings unique skills and insights to the functioning of a system.

This view argues that human beings possess valuable skills and insights that cannot be replicated by machines or algorithms alone. For example, in the context of automated vehicles, human operators can make important decisions in response to unexpected events that a purely automated system may not be able to handle. Human intuition, creativity, and problem-solving abilities are essential in designing systems that are effective, efficient, and safe. Therefore, this view argues that it is important to include human input within complex systems, and to leverage human expertise and capabilities wherever possible.