SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

A brief Introduction

Definition

A system is collection of different elements that interact to produce results that are not obtainable by the elements alone. Systems engineering is an appropriate combination of theories and tools, carried out through the use of a suitable methodology and set of procedures appropriate for the resolution of real-world problems of large scale and scope.

Introduction to systems engineering

emerging discipline
It has been around since the wheel!

Systems engineering is often seen as an

The term is often used but frequently misunderstood

As is the concept of a systems engineer

Systems engineering brings together many disciplines Applies to all domains

Not just engineering

Systems engineering applies across whole life cycle

Why System Engineering?

Since the development of new modern systems is strongly driven by technological change, we shall add more characteristics to a system requiring systems engineering, namely, that some of its key elements use advanced technology. Systems Engineering is required because it integrates all of the disciplines and groups into a team effort forming a structured development process that proceeds from concept to production to operation.

The need for systems engineering

Its very easy for things to go wrong
Project disasters and failures

Essential to inspire confidence

In staff In clients

Essential to demonstrate professionalism

ORIGIN OF SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

No particular date can be associated with the origins of systems engineering. Systems engineering principles have been practiced at some level since the building of the pyramids and probably before. The recognition of systems engineering as a distinct activity is associated with the effects of World War II. The relation of modern systems engineering to its origins can be best understood in terms of three basic factors: 1 . Advancing Technology: provides opportunities for increasing

system capabilities, but introduces development risks that require SE solutions thru the use of systems-level

2 . Competition: require seeking superior & more advanced system 3 . Specialization:

requires partitioning of the system into building blocks that can be designed and built by specialists, and strict management of their interfaces and interactions

Inter-disciplinary involvement
S o f tw a r e e n g in e e r in g E l e c tr o n i c e n g in e e r in g M e c h a n ic a l e n g in e e r in g

S t r u c tu r a l e n g in e e r in g

A T C s y s te m s e n g in e e r in g

U s e r i n te r f a c e d e s ig n

C i v il e n g in e e r in g

E l e c tr i c a l e n g in e e r in g

A r c h i te c t u r e

Systems may be any technology

Mechanical Electronic Software Chemical Thermodynamic Human organizations Biological

Primary Function Definitions

Development: includes the activities required to evolve the system from

customer needs to product or process solutions.

Manufacturing/Production/Construction: includes the fabrication of

engineering test models and brass boards, low rate initial production, fullrate production of systems and end items, or the construction of large or unique systems or subsystems.

Deployment: includes the activities necessary to initially deliver, transport,

receive, process, assemble, install, checkout, train, operate,house, store, or field the system to achieve full operational capability.

Operation: is the user function and includes activities necessary to satisfy

defined operational objectives and tasks in peacetime and wartime environments.

Support: includes the activities necessary to provide operations support,

maintenance, logistics, and material management.

Disposal: includes the activities necessary to ensure that the disposal of

decommissioned, destroyed,or irreparable system components meets all applicable regulations and directives.

knowledge and skill levels necessary to efficiently and effectively perform operations and support functions.

Training: includes the activities necessary to achieve and maintain the

Verification: includes the activities necessary to evaluate progress and

effectiveness of evolving system products and processes, and to measure specification compliance.

EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS REQUIRING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

A washing machine consists of a main clothes tub, an electric motor, an agitator, a pump, a timer, an inner spinning tub, and various valves, sensors, and controls. A refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, and radio all perform a number of useful operations in a systematic manner. However, these appliances involve only one or two engineering disciplines, and their design is based on well - established technology. Thus, they fail the criterion of being complex, and we would not consider the development of a new washer or refrigerator to involve much systems engineering as we understand the term, although it would certainly require a high order of reliability and cost engineering.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING VIEWPOINT

The essence of the systems engineering viewpoint is exactly what it implies making the central objective the system as a whole and the success of its mission. This, in turn, means the subordination of individual goals and attributes in favour of those of the overall system. A systems engineer is always an advocate of the total system in any contest with a subordinate objective. The whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Aristotle, 384 BC 322 BC

The Scope of Systems Engineering

WHO DOES SYSTEMS ENGINEERING?

All Members of a Multi-disciplinary team Engineering Quality Subcontract Management Business Management Etc. Everyone involved with development of a system should be a systems thinker. Keep the end result in mind. Everyone should use a common framework (PROCESS) and language

Systems engineering provides a systematic and orderly framework that should be accepted and used by all disciplines during the development of complex systems.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERNG APPROACHES

Systems engineering can also be viewed in terms of the depictions of the sequence of processes and methodologies used in the execution of the design, development, integration, and testing of a system. Early graphics were linear in the process flow with sequences of steps that are often iterative to show the logical means to achieve consistency and viability.

The popular systems engineering V diagram provides a view of life cycle development with explicit relationships shown between requirements and systems definition and the developed and validated product.

Simplified V Diagram
R e q u ir e m e n t s d e f i n i ti o n S y st e m d e s ig n S u b - s y s te m d e v e lo p m e n t S y s te m i n t e g ra t io n S y ste m i n s ta ll a t io n Sy ste m d e c o m m is s io n in g S y st e m e v o lu ti o n

The Systems Engineering Process

The major steps in the completion of a typical systems engineering project are the following:

(1) problem statement; (2) identification of objectives; (3) generation of alternatives; (4) analysis of these alternatives; (5) selection of one of them; (6) creation of the system; (7) operation.

SYSTEMS DOMAINS

With a broad view of system development, it can be seen that the traditional approach to systems now encompasses a growing domain breadth. And much like a Rubiks Cube, the domain faces are now completely integrated into the systems engineers perspective of the big (but complex) picture. The systems domain faces include not only the engineering, technical, and management domains but also social, political/legal, and human domains. These latter softer dimensions require additional attention and research to fully understand their impact and utility in system development, especially as we move to areas at the enterprise and global family of systems levels of complexity.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AS A PROFESSION

With the increasing prevalence of complex systems in modern society, and the essential role of systems engineering in the development of systems, systems engineering as a profession has become widely recognized. Its primary recognition has come in companies specializing in the development of large systems. In addition, global challenges in health care, communications, environment, and many other complex areas require engineering systems methods to develop viable solutions. The slowness of recognition of systems engineering as a career is the fact that it does not correspond to the traditional academic engineering disciplines.

Career Choices

The Challenge of Systems Engineering

An inhibiting factor in becoming a professional systems engineer is that it represents a deviation from a chosen established discipline to a more diverse, complicated professional practice. It requires the investment of time and effort to gain experience and an extensive broadening of the engineering base, as well as learning communication and management skills, a much different orientation from the individual s original professional choice.

Conclusion
Systems engineering is hard! There will never be an easy answer to the problems of complex system development Disciplines need to recognize each others strengths and actively rather than reluctantly cooperate in the systems engineering process

Is Systems Engineering the Solution to all of the Worlds Systems Problem?

MAY NOT BE.........

But it can certainly help to solve quite a few of them.
Thank You