Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8.2
The important stages of conducting a systems analysis and the boundary conditions or
factors that must be considered while conducting the systems analysis
informatics techniques often enable these analysis methods. The important steps in
systems analysis are the following (Fig.
8.2
):
•
Defi nition of the system scope
(
and objectives
): The success of the systems
approach often depends on identifying the conceptual, spatial, and temporal
scope of the analysis. System boundaries are identifi ed to limit the scope, and
issues outside the boundary are represented as externalities. The scope should
correspond with the intended objective of the proposed analysis.
•
System abstraction and modeling
: A model is a set of functions representing dif-
ferent aspects of the systems, such as a function correlating the harvesting with
fuel consumption. In the broadest sense, these functions can be graphical, logical
narratives, or mathematical representations of a concept or a physical environment
[
11
]. Models can be classifi ed as mechanistic, empirical, regression based, logical,
and more. Models can also be static or dynamic, linear or nonlinear, and may also
be classifi ed as strategic, management, and operational based on their scope.
•
Identifi cation of performance indicators
: The appropriate performance indica-
tors are required to evaluate and compare system performance. In addition to the
conventional economic indicators such as profi t, cost, or net present value,
sustainability-driven indicators such as energy consumption, life-cycle impact,
and global warming potential are frequently considered.
•
Model simulation and scenario studies
: Scenarios are possible and relevant stories
about how the system will behave or evolve under specifi c circumstances or inputs.
From a BFPP perspective, a scenario refers to one of the many possible pathways
of producing and provisioning the feedstock from farms to the biorefi nery
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