Summary

An integrated and interdependent combination of component resources that satisfies service requirements. (See also “service system component” and “service requirements.”)

A service system encompasses everything required for service delivery, including work products, processes, facilities, tools, consumables, and human resources.

Note that a service system includes the people necessary to perform the service system’s processes. In contexts where end users perform some processes for service delivery to be accomplished, those end users are also part of the service system (at least for the duration of those interactions).

A complex service system may be divisible into multiple distinct delivery and support systems or subsystems. While these divisions and distinctions may be significant to the service provider organization, they may not be as meaningful to other stakeholders.