Misesian Assessment of Systems Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents results of a survey of civil engineering systems analysis courses and a review of the four most commonly used textbooks. The numerical techniques of systems analysis appear to be appropriate for certain types of problems. These may be called “technological” as opposed to “economic” problems. The size of a problem appropriate to systems analysis methods must not be too large, although this limiting size is not precisely determinate. An Austrian assessment of the economic foundations of systems analysis shows that the typical content of systems analysis courses and their prerequisites are deficient. Descriptions of fundamental economic concepts are confused. Suggestions are offered to complete these most important ideas for the students and to complement the content of the typical systems analysis course work.