Systems Engineering

Described

12/28/09 – Robert Johnson

Definition

Systems Engineering is:

A structured approach to the development of

complex, engineered systems.

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Components of Systems Engineering

•The Whole System Approach

•Project Management
•The Iterative Design and
Evaluation Method
•Risk Management
•Interface Design

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The Whole System Approach

•Top-down design, optimizing for system effectiveness, not component

effectiveness.
•E.g. Metallic structures on spacecraft can magnify radiation hazards. Metal
may be the best choice for the frame component, but may not be the best
choice for the whole system.

•Design the right system.

•Systems design is inherently interdisciplinary. Systems Engineers must
possess and cultivate broad technical knowledge.
•Manage subsystem interactions.

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Project Management

•Manage cost, resource allocation, and scheduling constraints

from an engineering standpoint.
•Collect the Voice of Customer (VOC), communicate with
stakeholders, and manage and coordinate suppliers.
•Prepare and maintain a current Systems Engineering
Management Plan (SEMP) as the primary control document
for all system development activities.

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The Iterative Design and Evaluation Method

The Systems Engineering method is an iterative

process by which a system concept is developed
and refined, with continual evaluation against
requirements, until a completed and functional
system design is produced that meets the goals
established for the system.

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The Iterative Design and Evaluation Method
Define

Concept

1. Develop system performance and cost Design/Evaluate

requirements. Implement

2. Develop multiple system concepts that can satisfy

most or all of the requirements.
3. Select a concept and begin the design / evaluation
loop.
4. Produce and implement the system.

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The Design / Evaluation Loop
Design Evaluate

•At the outset of the design / evaluation loop, the system concept has
poor definition. Each pass through the loop increases the detail of the
design.
•Also, at the outset there are many risks and unknowns. As detail is added
to the design, frequent evaluation of the design through testing and
simulation identifies problems that are then corrected in subsequent
design iterations. In this way risk is diminished on each pass through the
loop.
•The design / evaluation loop concludes when a system design that
satisfies the performance and cost requirements is complete, and when all
risks relevant to the design have been abated or effectively managed.

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Risk Management

•Systems design carries large inherent risks relating to complexity and the
need to reach new levels of performance.
•Some common systems risks are:
•Interdependencies between subsystems magnify the effects of point failures.

•Complex system behavior may be difficult to model or predict (greater than the sum of
its parts).

•System dynamics are strongly characterized by bottlenecks, load variations, and

feedback loops.

•New failure modes arise due to novel design, new technology, or increasing complexity.

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Interface Design

•The Systems Engineer (or team) is wholly responsible for the

specification and design of system interfaces.
•Create and maintain current Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for all system
interfaces.

•Interfaces carry material, information and energy between

components. Interface types include mechanical, electrical,
and data.
•Interfaces are loaded junctions exposed to hazards from
more than one direction.

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Interface Design (cont.)

•Interfaces are sensitive to peak loads, and are

natural bottlenecks that can limit system
performance.
•Interfaces can be the source of unintended
feedback loops.
•The more complex a system is the more critical
interface design becomes.

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Misconceptions About Systems
Engineering

Systems Engineering is a relatively new discipline, and not well-

understood in general industry, or in business. The term ‘Systems
Engineer’ is often mistakenly applied to IT specialists. As has been
noted, Systems Engineers are generalists and not specialists of any
kind.

Systems Engineering was invented by the aerospace industry, and is

closely associated with it. However, Systems Engineering has broad
applications in manufacturing, civil engineering, business and
enterprise management, public policy, and anywhere that a systems
approach can be valuable.

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The Future of Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering is already being broadly applied to the redesign of

America’s transportation and power generation networks, and similar
projects.
The application of principals of Systems Engineering outside of industrial
and civil applications is just starting to be investigated. One significant
recent development is the use of the Systems Engineering method in
Financial Engineering, currently under research at the University of
Illinois.
The use of Systems Engineering within Economics for the purpose of
designing effective public policies , and for engineering market-
effective solutions in business is a new field where research is just
beginning.

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