Systems Engineering : A Systemic and Systematic Methodology for Solving Complex Problems

This book will change the way you think about problems. It focuses on creating solutions to all sorts of complex problems by taking a practical, problem-solving approach. It discusses not only what needs to be done, but it also provides guidance and examples of how to do it. The book applies systems thinking to systems engineering and introduces several innovative concepts such as direct and indirect stakeholders and the Nine-System Model, which provides the context for the activities performed in the project, along with a framework for successful stakeholder management. A list of the figures and tables in this book is available at https://www.crcpress.com/9781138387935. FEATURES • Treats systems engineering as a problem-solving methodology • Describes what tools systems engineers use and how they use them in each state of the system lifecycle • Discusses the perennial problem of poor requirements, defines the grammar and structure of a requirement, and provides a template for a good imperative construction statement and the requirements for writing requirements • Provides examples of bad and questionable requirements and explains the reasons why they are bad and questionable • Introduces new concepts such as direct and indirect stakeholders and the Shmemp! • Includes the Nine-System Model and other unique tools for systems engineering Cover......Page 1 Half Title......Page 2 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 24 Acknowledgements......Page 26 Author......Page 28 Other Books by This Author......Page 30 Chapter 1 Introduction......Page 32 1.1 Why This Book Is Different......Page 34 1.2 How to Read and Use This Book......Page 35 1.3 The Parts of This Book......Page 39 1.4 Thinking......Page 43 1.5.3 Combining Analysis and Synthesis......Page 44 1.6 Judgement and Creativity......Page 45 1.6.1 Critical Thinking......Page 46 1.6.2 Systems Thinking......Page 47 1.6.3 The Two Distinct Types of Systems Thinking......Page 48 1.6.4 Beyond Systems Thinking......Page 50 References......Page 54 2.1 Continuum......Page 56 2.1.1 The Three Types of Systems Engineering......Page 57 2.1.3 The Three Different Domains of Systems Engineering......Page 59 2.1.5 The ‘A’ and the ‘B’ Paradigms in Systems Engineering......Page 60 2.1.6 The Eight Different Camps of Systems Engineering......Page 62 2.1.7 The Three Streams of Activities......Page 64 2.1.9 The Tools Paradox......Page 66 2.1.11 The Difference in the Contents of Textbooks......Page 67 2.1.12 The Difference in the Knowledge Content of Master’s Degrees in Systems Engineering......Page 68 2.2 Big Picture......Page 76 2.2.2 Problem Solving and Systems Engineering......Page 77 2.2.3 The Interdependency and Overlap Between the Systems Engineering, Project Management and Other Engineering Activities......Page 79 2.5 Structural......Page 82 2.6 Generic......Page 83 2.7.1 The Return on Investment in Systems Engineering......Page 84 2.8.1 The Successes and Failures of Systems Engineering......Page 85 2.8.2 The Evolution of Systems Engineering......Page 86 2.8.3 The Evolution of the Role of the Systems Engineer......Page 88 2.9.1 Frameworks for Systems Engineering......Page 90 2.9.2 The Principle of Hierarchies......Page 91 2.9.3 The Hitchins-Kasser-Massie Framework (HKMF)......Page 92 2.9.4 The Overlapping Streams of Work......Page 93 2.9.5 What the Standards Seem to Have Achieved......Page 94 2.9.6 Systems Engineering Is a Discipline......Page 95 2.11.1 What Is Systems Engineering?......Page 97 2.11.2 Why Are There Different Opinions on the Nature of Systems Engineering?......Page 98 2.11.5 Why Does Systems Engineering Seem to Overlap Project Management and Problem-Solving?......Page 99 2.11.9 Which Come First, Functions or Requirements?......Page 100 2.12 Summary......Page 101 References......Page 102 3.1 Big Picture......Page 108 3.1.2 Selected Myths of Problem-Solving......Page 109 3.3 Structural......Page 113 3.4 Continuum......Page 114 3.4.1 Problems and Symptoms......Page 115 3.4.3 The Different Decision Outcomes......Page 116 3.4.4 Research and Intervention Problems......Page 120 3.4.5 The Different Categories of Problems......Page 122 3.4.6 The Different Domains of a Problem......Page 124 3.5.1 Decision-Making......Page 125 3.6.1 The Traditional Simple Problem-Solving Process......Page 126 3.6.2 The Extended Problem-Solving Process......Page 127 3.7.1 A Problem Formulation Template......Page 129 3.8.1 Continuum......Page 131 3.8.3 Scientific......Page 134 3.9.1 The Two-Part System Development Process......Page 137 3.9.2 The Multiple-Iteration Problem-Solving Process......Page 139 3.9.3 A New Product Development Process......Page 142 3.11 Remedying Complex Problems......Page 143 3.11.2 Remedying Ill-Structured Complex Problems......Page 144 3.11.3 Remedying Wicked Problems......Page 145 References......Page 146 Chapter 4 The Successful Systems Engineer’s Toolbox......Page 150 4.1 A Competency Model......Page 152 4.1.1 The Vertical Dimension......Page 153 4.1.3 Assessing of the Competency of a Systems Engineer......Page 156 4.1.4 Using the Competency Model......Page 157 4.2.1 Requirements for the Process of Writing Documents......Page 158 4.2.3 Metrics for Documents......Page 159 4.3 The Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)......Page 160 4.4 The CONOPS......Page 161 4.4.1 Creating a CONOPS......Page 163 4.5.2 Technical Program Planning and Control......Page 164 4.6 The System Requirements Document......Page 165 4.6.1 The Importance of Requirements......Page 166 4.7.1 The Purpose and Use of a TEMP......Page 168 4.7.2 The Contents of a TEMP......Page 169 4.7.3 The Table of Contents of a TEMP......Page 171 4.8 Interface Control Documents......Page 172 4.9 The Shmemp......Page 173 4.10 Modelling and Simulation......Page 174 4.11 A Generic Functional Template for a System......Page 175 4.11.2 Maximizes Completeness of a System......Page 176 4.12 Seven Principles for Systems Engineered Systems......Page 177 4.13 Meetings......Page 184 References......Page 185 5.1.3 Functional......Page 188 5.1.4 Structural......Page 189 5.1.8 Scientific......Page 190 5.2 Basic System Behaviour......Page 191 5.3.1 States......Page 192 5.3.2 Emergence......Page 193 5.3.4 Components in Man-Made Systems......Page 194 References......Page 195 Chapter 6 The Nine-System Model......Page 196 6.1 System S1: The Undesirable or Problematic Situation......Page 199 6.2 System S2: The Process to Create the FCFDS......Page 200 6.4 System S4: The Process to Plan the Transition From the Undesirable or Problematic Situation to the FCFDS......Page 201 6.6 System S6: The Solution System That Will Operate within the FCFDS......Page 202 6.8 System S8: The Process to Determine That the Realized Solution Remedies the Evolved Undesirable Situation......Page 203 6.9 System S9: The Organization(s) Containing the Processes......Page 204 6.10.1 The NASA Apollo Programme......Page 205 6.10.3 Managing Complexity via the Application of the Nine-System Model at Various Levels in the System Hierarchy......Page 206 6.10.4 Clarifying the Confusion of the Different Process Descriptions......Page 209 6.12 Summary......Page 211 References......Page 212 7.1 Definitions of the Terminology......Page 214 7.3 Risks and Opportunities......Page 215 7.4 The Risk Rectangle......Page 216 7.5.1 Selected Myths of Risk Management......Page 217 7.5.3 Performing Risk Management Using the Systems Approach......Page 218 7.8 Risks Based on the Availability of Technology......Page 219 7.8.1 The Technology Availability Window of Opportunity......Page 221 7.9 Risk Profiles......Page 224 7.13 Summary......Page 226 References......Page 227 Chapter 8 The System Lifecycle......Page 228 8.1 The States in the System Lifecycle......Page 229 8.2 The Right Leader for the State......Page 231 8.3 The SLC as a State Machine......Page 232 8.4 The SDP......Page 233 8.4.1 The Problem Posed by the SDP......Page 234 8.5 The SLC for an Acquired System......Page 235 8.6 Reviews......Page 236 References......Page 237 9.1 The Problem Posed by the Needs Identification State......Page 238 9.2 The Three Sub-States in the Needs Identification State......Page 240 9.4.2 Planning the Analysis......Page 241 9.4.3 Performing the Analysis......Page 244 9.4.5 Performing the Sensitivity Analysis......Page 246 9.5.1 Reasons to Do a Feasibility Study......Page 247 9.5.3 Types of Feasibility......Page 248 9.6 Creating the System......Page 249 9.6.1 The Process for Creating a System......Page 251 9.8 Summary......Page 267 References......Page 268 Chapter 10 The System Requirements State of the SDP......Page 270 10.1 The Problem Posed by the System Requirements State......Page 271 10.2.2 Big Picture......Page 272 10.2.7 Generic......Page 273 10.2.9 Scientific......Page 274 10.3 The Grammar and Structure of a Requirement......Page 275 10.4 A Template for Good Imperative Instruction Statement......Page 276 10.5 The Requirements for Writing Requirements......Page 279 10.6 The Need for Tolerances on a Requirement......Page 280 10.7 The Contribution of the HTPs to the Completeness of the System Requirements......Page 281 10.8 Converting Customer’s Needs to Requirements......Page 282 10.10 Examples of Poor and Questionable Requirements......Page 286 10.11 The Relationship between the Undesirable Situation, CONOPS, Functions and Requirements......Page 289 10.12 Creating a Matched Set of Specifications for the Whole System and Its Subsystems......Page 290 10.13.1 Background......Page 292 10.13.2 Analysis and Commentary......Page 293 10.14 Case Study: Producing the MCSSRP System Requirements Mapped into the Nine-System Model......Page 294 10.14.4 Structural......Page 295 10.14.6 Temporal......Page 296 10.14.7 Continuum......Page 297 10.14.9 Scientific......Page 298 10.14.11 Managing Stakeholder Expectations......Page 299 10.14.12 Managing Indirect Stakeholders......Page 305 10.14.13 Comments on Managing Stakeholder Expectations......Page 307 10.15.1 Creating the SEMP......Page 308 10.15.2 Creating the TEMP......Page 309 10.15.6 Anticipate Changes......Page 310 10.15.8 Budget Tolerant Build Planning......Page 311 10.15.9 The Cataract Methodology......Page 314 10.17 Summary......Page 315 References......Page 316 11.1.1 The Problem Posed by the Preliminary System Design Sub-State......Page 318 11.2.1 The Problem Posed by the Detailed System Design Sub-State......Page 319 11.4 Designing for Integration......Page 320 11.5 Designing Self-Regulating Subsystems......Page 321 11.8 Designing Consistency across Subsystems......Page 322 References......Page 323 12.1 The Problem Posed by the Subsystem Construction State......Page 324 12.2 The System-Level Trade-Offs......Page 325 Reference......Page 326 13.1 The Problem Posed by the Subsystem Test State......Page 328 Reference......Page 329 14.1 The Problem Posed by the System Integration and System Test States......Page 330 14.2.1 The Order of Integration......Page 331 14.2.3 Problems due to Poor Engineering and Management......Page 332 14.3.1 The Test Planning Methodology......Page 333 14.4.2 Examples of Wording......Page 336 14.5.1 The Focus of Testing in the SDP......Page 337 14.8 Test and Evaluation (T&E)......Page 338 14.9.2 Continuum......Page 340 14.9.3 Structural......Page 341 14.9.4 Temporal......Page 342 14.9.5 Scientific......Page 343 14.10.1 Framing the Problem......Page 347 14.10.2 The Situational Analysis......Page 348 References......Page 349 15.1.1 The Problem Posed by the System Delivery, Installation and Acceptance Testing......Page 352 15.1.3 Planning the System Delivery, Installation and Acceptance Testing......Page 353 15.1.4 Issues to Consider......Page 354 15.3 The Problem Posed by the In-Service State......Page 355 15.4 The Relationship between the SDP and the O&M State......Page 356 15.5 The O&M Product Support Sub-State......Page 358 15.6.1 Impact of Change......Page 359 15.6.2 The Change Management Process......Page 360 15.8 Summary......Page 361 References......Page 362 16.1 The Problem Posed by the System Disposal State......Page 364 16.4 Disposal in Each State of the SLC Produces Waste......Page 365 Reference......Page 366 17.1 The Needs Identification State......Page 368 17.3.2 The Detailed System Design Sub-State......Page 369 17.5 The System Test State......Page 371 17.7 The Second System Design State......Page 372 17.10 The Third System Design State......Page 373 17.12 Comments......Page 374 17.13 Lessons Learned......Page 375 Reference......Page 376 Chapter 18 Luz: From Light to Darkness: Lessons Learned from the Solar System......Page 378 18.1 Background......Page 379 18.2.3 Functional......Page 380 18.2.4 Structural......Page 381 18.2.7 Temporal......Page 382 18.3 The Needs Identification State......Page 383 18.5 The System and Subsystem Design States......Page 384 18.5.1 Active Brainstorming in the System and Subsystem Design States......Page 385 18.5.3 Discussion......Page 388 18.6 The Subsystem Construction State......Page 390 18.6.1 The LOC Subsystem......Page 391 18.6.3 FRAT Applied to the CS......Page 394 18.6.4 FRAT Applied to the Network Subsystem......Page 397 18.6.5 FRAT Applied to the Power Distribution System......Page 398 18.6.6 FRAT Applied to the LOC......Page 399 18.7 Discussion on the Use of FRAT......Page 401 18.8.2 Focus on People Not on Process......Page 402 18.8.6 Avoid Analysis Paralysis......Page 403 18.9 Meta-Lessons Learned......Page 404 References......Page 405 Chapter 19 Jumping to the Wrong Conclusions: A Case Study on Optimizing a Postgraduate Learning Environment......Page 406 19.1.1 Task 2 Defining the Problem Space......Page 407 19.1.2 Task 3 Conceive Conceptual Solution Options......Page 408 19.1.3 Task 4 Identify Ideal Solution Evaluation Criteria......Page 411 19.1.4 Task 5 Trade-Off to Find an Optimum Solution......Page 417 19.1.5 Task 6 Select the Preferred Option......Page 419 19.1.6 Task 7 Formulate Strategies and Plans to Implement......Page 421 19.2 Iteration Required......Page 422 19.3 Afterword......Page 423 19.3.2 Challenging Assumptions......Page 424 19.4 Lessons Learned......Page 425 19.6 Conclusion......Page 426 References......Page 427 20.1.1 Big Picture......Page 430 20.1.2 Operational......Page 431 20.2 The Needs Identification State......Page 432 20.2.1 The Pre-Tender State of the Acquisition......Page 435 20.3 The System Requirements State......Page 436 20.4.2 Build 0 Detailed Design State......Page 438 20.5 The Subsystem Construction State......Page 439 References......Page 440 21.2 Operational......Page 442 21.3.1 MBSE Is Reinventing Concepts......Page 443 21.4 Temporal......Page 445 21.5 Continuum......Page 446 21.6.1 MBSE Conflates Two Distinct and Different Models......Page 447 21.6.2 MBSE Suffers from a Lack of Holistic Thinking......Page 448 References......Page 449 Chapter 22 Improving the Probability of Training Successful System Engineers......Page 452 22.2 Finding Suitable Candidates......Page 453 22.2.3 Generic and Temporal......Page 454 22.2.5 Structural......Page 455 22.3.3 Systems Analysts......Page 456 22.3.6 Glue......Page 457 22.3.10 Process Engineer......Page 458 22.4 Discussion......Page 459 22.5 Recruiting Potential Systems Engineering Students......Page 460 References......Page 461 Author Index......Page 464 Subject Index......Page 468 Cover; Half Title; Title; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; Author; Other Books by This Author; Chapter 1 Introduction; 1.1 Why This Book Is Different; 1.2 How to Read and Use This Book; 1.3 The Parts of This Book; 1.4 Thinking; 1.5 Top-Down and Bottom-Up Thinking; 1.5.1 Analysis; 1.5.2 Synthesis; 1.5.3 Combining Analysis and Synthesis; 1.6 Judgement and Creativity; 1.6.1 Critical Thinking; 1.6.2 Systems Thinking; 1.6.3 The Two Distinct Types of Systems Thinking; 1.6.4 Beyond Systems Thinking; References; Chapter 2 Perceptions of Systems Engineering; 2.1 Continuum