System Behavior Modeling and Complexity in Systems Engineering

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Questions and Answers

According to ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2023), what is a system element?

A part of a system that fulfills specified requirements
A discrete part that can be implemented in multiple systems
A member of a set of elements that constitute a system (correct)
Any combination of hardware, software, and data

In the ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2023) terminology, what does it mean when a system element is regarded as atomic?

It is decomposed into further subordinate system elements
It requires further specification before implementation
It needs only an external view to capture its requirements (correct)
It is a combination of hardware, software, and data

What is one of the challenges of system definition, as mentioned in the text?

Understanding the interrelations between system elements
Defining the level of detail necessary for each system element (correct)
Deciding whether to make, buy, or reuse a system element
Implementing hardware and software components

How are system elements classified in the ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 (2023) terminology?

As either atomic or decomposed into further subordinate system elements (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a system element is said to require only a black box representation?

Its requirements can be captured without specifying its real-world solution definition (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a system element according to the text?

Processes for providing service to users (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of defining a hierarchy in a system?

To balance the number of subordinate elements to avoid redundancy (D) Signup and view all the answers

In MBSE, what is considered the most concise description of the system's past history?

The state (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do modes represent in a system?

Distinct operating capabilities of a system (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to control theory, what does a state represent in the evolution of a system?

A set of physical quantities that completely determines the system's past history (D) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the transitioning from one mode to another in a system?

Decisions made by the system, users, or external actors to adapt to new needs or contexts (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are states in the context of a system's attributes?

Measurable attributes used to describe the current configuration (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of Systems Engineering (SE), which sub-principle focuses on obtaining an understanding of the system?

Sub-Principle 11(c): SE models the system (A) Signup and view all the answers

In Systems Engineering, what does the quality of decision making depend on?

Knowledge of the system and enabling system(s) (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of Systems Engineering, what is responsible for managing the discipline interactions within the organization?

Sub-Principle 14: SE integrates engineering and scientific disciplines in an effective manner (D) Signup and view all the answers

What forms the basis for Systems Engineering according to Sub-Principle 15(d)?

Sociological basis specific to the organization (B) Signup and view all the answers

In Systems Engineering, what principle emphasizes seeking a best balance of functions and interactions within the system budget and constraints?

Principle 8: SE addresses stakeholder needs (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the principles of Systems Engineering, when does SE span the entire system life cycle?

When SE supports operations, maintenance, and retirement (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between complex and complicated systems?

Complex systems have intricate, evolving cause-and-effect relationships, while complicated systems have readily comprehensible relationships between elements. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the 14 characteristics of complexity in systems identified by the INCOSE Complexity Primer?

Non-linearity, emergence, and interconnectedness (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why may traditional SE processes for complicated systems not effectively handle complexity?

They lead to unexpected emergent interactions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of uncertainty that impact SE?

Technological and organizational uncertainty (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why must SE practitioners be aware of cognitive biases?

To interpret uncertain information accurately (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the Complexity Primer according to the text?

It provides valuable guidance on methods for handling complexity in systems engineering (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of cognitive biases in decision-making?

Simplified information processing strategies (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the aviation industry mitigate cognitive biases in decision-making?

By using the Crew Resource Management (CRM) method (D) Signup and view all the answers

What recommendation does NASA make to warn decision makers of potential failures?

Use Independent Technical Authority (ITA) (A) Signup and view all the answers

How many SE principles are presently documented by INCOSE?

15 (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, what is the perfect representation of the system?

The real system (A) Signup and view all the answers

What informs a worldview of the discipline of SE, according to the text?

Various origins such as heuristics, conventions, values, and models (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Cognitive biases are mental errors in judgment under uncertainty caused by simplified information processing strategies (heuristics) (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974).
Consistently affect individual and team decisions of SE practitioners, leading to incidents, failures, or disasters (McDermott, et al., 2020).
Listed in Behavioral Decision-Making field, dozens identified including 50 sources (Hallman, 2022).
Major systems decisions require more formal methods to avoid cognitive biases (Tversky and Kahneman, 1974; Thaler and Sunstein, 2008).
NASA recommends Independent Technical Authority (ITA) to warn decision makers of potential failures (NASA, 2003).
Aviation industry uses Crew Resource Management (CRM) method, all crew members warn pilot of imminent danger.
SE is a young discipline with a set of principles emerging over the past 30 years.
SE principles are derived from various origins (heuristics, conventions, values, models) and inform a worldview of the discipline.
INCOSE compiled a set of SE principles, transcending life cycle models, system types, and contexts.
Principle 1: SE applies to stakeholder needs and context throughout system life cycle.
Principle 2: SE has a holistic system view, including system elements, interactions, and environment.
Principle 3: SE is influenced by internal and external resources and contextual factors.
Principle 4: Proper understanding of policy and law is necessary for effective system implementation.
Principle 5: The real system is the perfect representation of the system.
Principle 6: SE focuses on system interactions, stakeholder needs, and operational environment.
Principle 7: Stakeholder needs can change and must be accounted for over the system life cycle.
INCOSE documents each principle with description and evidence of its application.
Presently 15 SE principles and 20 subprinciples.

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