Applied Systems Engineering
A 4 day practical programme
Today’s complex systems present difficult challenges to develop. From Military Systems to managing Rail Networks, for environmental and all electronic control systems, development teams must face the challenges with an arsenal of proven methods. Individual systems are becoming more complex, and systems operate in much closer relationship, requiring a system-of-systems approach to the overall design.
The discipline and concepts of systems engineering provide ways to manage this complexity. By following systems engineering practices, teams organise their thought processes in such a way as to bring order out of chaos. Studies of complex programs have shown that the proper application of up-front thinking can reduce the cost impact of errors by as much as five hundredfold. A cost saving that is imperative in this highly competitive age.
Systems engineering is a simple flow of concepts, frequently neglected in the pressure of day-to-day work, that reduces risk step by step. During this programme you will learn the latest systems principles, processes, products, and methods. This is a practical course, in which students apply the methods to build real, interacting systems.
The focus of the programme is on the underlying thought patterns, to help the participant understand the why rather than just teach the what.
The course is aimed at
- Systems engineers
- Technical team leaders
- Program managers
- Project managers
- Logistic support leaders
- Design engineers
- Others who participate in defining and developing complex systems.
Course Topics
How do We Work With Complexity? - Basic definitions and concepts. Problem-solving approaches; system thinking; systems engineering overview; what systems engineering is NOT.
- Objectives, requirements, processes
- Reductionist and system-level approaches
- Complexity theory, emergent properties, complex behaviour
- Conceptual development and chunking
- System thinking principles
- Application in the system life cycle
Systems Engineering Model - An underlying process model that ties together all the concepts and methods. Overview of the systems engineering model; technical aspects of systems engineering; management aspects of systems engineering.
- Model overview
- Incremental, concurrent processes
- Process loops for iteration
- Technical and management aspects of systems engineering
A System Challenge Application - Practical application of the systems engineering model against an interesting and entertaining system development. Delegates working in small groups build actual interoperating robots to solve a larger complex problem. Each group will make presentations throughout the design and build stages to aid mutual learning.
In the System Challenge exercise, delegates practice the knowledge by designing and building real, interoperating robots that must work together as a larger complex system. The exercise, while fun, also shows how difficulties arise in complex development teams.
Where Do Requirements Come From? - Requirements as the primary method of measurement and control for systems development. How to translate an undefined need into requirements; how to measure a system; how to create, analyze, manage requirements; writing a specification.
- Determining the mission from an operational view
- Quantifying the mission
- Analyzing missions and environments
- Creating requirements
- Definition of requirements types
- Requirements analysis methods
Where Does a Solution Come From? - Designing a system using the best methods known today. System architecting processes; alternate sources for solutions; how to allocate requirements to the system components; how to develop, analyze, and test alternatives; how to trade off results and make decisions. Getting from the system design to the system.
- Defining alternative concepts
- Architecting with patterns
- Analyzing and evaluating alternatives
- Establishing an allocated baseline
- Implementing the baseline system
- Production challenges for unique systems
- System integration processes
- Transitioning the system into use
- System operations
- Post-mission use and disposal
Ensuring System Quality - Building in quality during the development, and then checking it frequently. The relationship between systems engineering and systems testing.
- Technical analysis as a system tool
- Verification at multiple levels: architecture, design, product
- Validation at multiple levels; requirements, operations design, product
Systems Engineering Management - How to successfully manage the technical aspects of the system development; virtual, collaborative teams; design reviews; technical performance measurement; technical baselines and configuration management.
- Technical teamwork and leadership
- Planning technical processes
- Assessing and controlling the technical processes, with corrective actions
- Technical performance measures
- Risk management methods
- Small case studies on process management
Need to know more? Contact Dunchurch about the Applied Systems Engineering.