page_title: Glossary of systems theory
section_title: O
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of systems theory / O
context_page_description: A glossary of terms relating to systems theory.
context_section_description: Open system: A state and characteristics of that state in which a system continuously interacts with its environment. Open systems are those that maintain their state and exhibit the characteristics of openness previously mentioned.
  Structure–organization–process: See Structure–organization–process for various definitions.
caption: Open System Model (basics)