What Are Systems and Structures? A system is a set of elements or components that are organized for a common purpose. While, structure comes from the Latin word "Structura" which means to fit together or to build. Therefore, structure is the way in which parts of a system are arranged. A system can also be referred to a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done (also known as an organized approach to doing something). To systematize means to make a system predictable b