---
title: "Systems approach"
source: "https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach"
wiki: "systems-analysis.info/eng"
article: "Systems_approach"
language: "en"
categories:
  - "Category:English"
  - "Category:Science"
  - "Category:Systems approach"
  - "Category:Systems theory"
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wiki_created_at: 2026-09-06T22:23:03Z
wiki_modified_at: 2026-09-06T22:23:03Z
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---

# Systems approach

**The systems approach** is a methodological direction in scientific inquiry and practical activity, based on viewing objects as [systems](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System "System")—holistic complexes of interconnected elements, especially applicable to complex objects. It is important to note that the systems approach often acts not as a rigorous theory, but as a collection of methodological principles and heuristic guidelines. It facilitates the [analysis](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_analysis "Systems analysis"), modeling, synthesis of knowledge, and [management](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Management "Management") of such objects in various fields of knowledge and practice.

## Reasons for Emergence

The systems approach emerged as a natural stage in the development of science, which encountered the limitations of classical methods (elementarism, mechanicism) when studying complex, evolving objects (biological, social, technical). Classical methods, focused on decomposing a whole into its elements, proved insufficient for understanding the integrity, interconnections, organization, and dynamics of such objects, as well as for solving complex practical problems (management, design) that became relevant in the second half of the 20th century.<sup>[\[1\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-1)</sup>

The emergence of the systems approach is also linked to the general evolution of scientific reflection (the methodological turn): a shift from ontologism (focus on the object) and gnoseologism (focus on the subject-object relationship) to methodologism, where the emphasis shifts to the means, methods, and organization of cognitive and practical activities. *This orientation helps to identify the inadequacy of previous approaches and promotes the construction of new subjects of study and research programs.*

## Core Tenets

The systems approach involves:

- viewing an object as a holistic system, consisting of interconnected and interacting elements that form its organization and ensure its integrity;<sup>[\[2\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-2)</sup>
- analysis of the structure (elements and essential, including system-forming, connections between them) and functions of the system, as well as its interaction with the external environment;<sup>[\[3\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-3)</sup>
- accounting for the [hierarchy](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Hierarchy "Hierarchy") of systems, where each [subsystem](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Subsystem "Subsystem") can be viewed as a system of a lower level, and the system itself is part of a supersystem;
- shifting the focus from the analysis of substrate, "thing-like" characteristics to the study of connections, relationships, structure, organization, and control within the system;
- constructing generalized and specific [models](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Model "Model") of systems, including probabilistic ones that reflect the stochastic nature of many systems' behavior;
- distinguishing between two methodological emphases in research: 1) moving from a given whole to identifying the connections that ensure it *and the mechanisms for its maintenance*; 2) moving from a given set of connections (types of connections) to defining the boundaries and properties of the holistic system;
- using interdisciplinary methods and models to study systems of various natures.

## Principles of the Systems Approach

Key principles of the systems approach include:

- [Holism](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_integrity "System integrity") and [Emergence](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Emergence "Emergence") — a system is viewed as a single whole, possessing new, [emergent](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Emergence "Emergence") properties that are absent in its individual [elements](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_element "System element") and cannot be reduced to their sum;
- [Hierarchical structure](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Hierarchy "Hierarchy") — systems consist of [subsystems](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Subsystem "Subsystem") and are part of supersystems, forming a hierarchical structure;<sup>[\[4\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-4)</sup>
- Structure — analysis of the internal organization of the system, which includes not only [elements](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_element "System element") but also the defining [connections](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Connections_in_systems "Connections in systems") between them;<sup>[\[5\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-5)</sup>
- Functionality — the study of the [functions](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Function "Function") of the system and its [elements](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_element "System element"), aimed at achieving the system's [goals](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Goal "Goal") or maintaining its existence;
- Development — systems are viewed as [dynamic](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Dynamic_properties "Dynamic properties"), subject to change and [development](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_development "System development") over time;
- Interaction with the environment — accounting for the fact that a system does not exist in isolation but exchanges matter, energy, and information with its external [surroundings](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System_environment "System environment") (environment).<sup>[\[6\]](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_note-6)</sup>

## Application

The systems approach is widely applied in various fields, including:

- science and technology (especially in the design and analysis of complex systems (see [Systems engineering](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_engineering "Systems engineering")))
- economics and management
- social sciences
- ecology and biology

The application of the principles of the systems approach helps to reveal a broader cognitive reality and to develop new frameworks for explaining complex phenomena.

## History of Development

Ideas of systemic investigation of objects can be traced back to ancient philosophy (Plato, Aristotle) and the philosophy of the modern era (Kant, Schelling), and were further developed in the works of K. Marx, C. Darwin, and others. The foundations of the modern systems approach were laid in the mid-20th century within the framework of [general systems theory](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_theory "Systems theory"), developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. In the Soviet Union, significant contributions to the development of the systems approach were made by I. V. Blauberg, V. N. Sadovsky, and E. G. Yudin, who made substantial contributions to developing the philosophical and methodological foundations of systems research, based on the principle of systemicity and linked, in particular, to dialectical materialism.

## External links

- <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_thinking" class="external text" rel="nofollow">Systems thinking — Wikipedia</a>

## See also

- [System](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/System "System")
- [Systems analysis](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_analysis "Systems analysis")
- [Systems engineering](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_engineering "Systems engineering")
- [General systems theory](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_theory "Systems theory")

## Literature

- *Blauberg I.V.*, *Yudin E.G.* The Formation and Essence of the Systems Approach. Moscow, 1973;
- *Sadovsky V.N.* Foundations of General Systems Theory. A Logical-Methodological Analysis. Moscow, 1974;
- *Uemov A.I.* The Systems Approach and General Systems Theory. Moscow, 1978;
- *Blauberg I.V.* The Problem of Integrity and the Systems Approach. Moscow, 1997;
- *Yudin E.G.* Methodology of Science. Systemicity. Activity. Moscow, 1997;
- Systems Research. Methodological Problems. Yearbook. Moscow: Nauka;
- *Churchman C.W.* The Systems Approach. N.Y., 1968;
- Trends in General Systems Theory / Ed. G. Klir. N.Y., 1972;
- General Systems Theory. Yearbook, vol. 1–30. N.Y., 1956–85;
- Critical Systems Thinking. Directed Readings / Ed. R.L. Flood, M.C. Jackson. N.Y., 1991;

## References

1.  <span id="cite_note-1">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-1) "The basic categories of thought are changing... in all fields of modern knowledge we are forced to deal with the necessity of analyzing complex objects, specific 'wholes' or 'systems'. This leads to a fundamental reorientation of scientific thinking." — **L. von Bertalanffy**, *Systems Research. Yearbook 1969. pp. 31-32*.</span>
2.  <span id="cite_note-2">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-2) "...objects are viewed as systems, i.e., as sets of interconnected elements that act as a single whole." — I. V. Blauberg, V. N. Sadovsky, E. G. Yudin, *Systems Research. Yearbook 1969. p. 8*.</span>
3.  <span id="cite_note-3">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-3) "\[The tasks of the systems approach include\] the problem of the hierarchical structure of systems and the search for the resulting specifics of the interconnection between different levels of a systemic object;" — I. V. Blauberg, V. N. Sadovsky, E. G. Yudin, *Systems Research. Yearbook 1969. p. 17*.</span>
4.  <span id="cite_note-4">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-4) "The complexity and diversity of the elements, connections, and relations of an object as a system determine the hierarchical structure of the system..." — V. N. Sadovsky, *Foundations of General Systems Theory. p. 17*.</span>
5.  <span id="cite_note-5">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-5) "An essential aspect of characterizing any system is the identification of... system-forming connections and relations. It is these connections and relations that express the holistic, integrative properties of the system and define its specificity." — V. N. Sadovsky, *Foundations of General Systems Theory. p. 83*.</span>
6.  <span id="cite_note-6">[↑](https://systems-analysis.info/eng/Systems_approach#cite_ref-6) "The study of an object as a system is methodologically inseparable from the analysis of the conditions of its existence and from the analysis of the system's environment." — V. N. Sadovsky, *Foundations of General Systems Theory. p. 17*</span>