text: 1. environment\n2. boundary\n3. emergence\n4. parts\n5. processes\n6. input and output\n7. internal functional areas\n8. stability\n\ncheck out this website for information about each one of these characteristics (this was also my source):\n\nhttp://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/university/scit/modules/cp4414/lectures/week2/businfo2/sld003.htm