Systems Engineering Fundamentals

Course Objectives

• Develop a systems engineering plan for a realistic project.
• Understand system engineers' role and responsibilities.
• Understand the role of organizations.
• Apply systems engineering tools to realistic problems.
• Recognize the value and limitations of modeling and simulation.
• Formulate an effective plan for gathering and using data.
• Know how to proactively design for and manage system lifecycle targets.

Topics

• The course will cover introduction to systems engineering.
• Requirement analysis includes using the objectives tree method and performance specification.
• Functional analysis includes functional and object-oriented modelling.
• System synthesis includes using morphological charts as well as modelling and simulation.
• Systems analysis includes tradeoff studies, risk management, life cycle cost analysis, and cost & effectiveness analysis.

Project Planning

• Week 2: Teams forming and project assignment.
• Week 3: Project proposal.
• Week 4: Requirement analysis: Objectives tree.
• Week 5: Requirement analysis: Performance specification.
• Week 6: Functional modelling.
• Week 7: Functional model.
• Week 8: Concept generation.
• Week 9: Tradeoffs solutions.
• Week 10: Risk management.
• Week 11: Life cycle cost analysis/prototype.
• Week 12: Cost analysis/prototype.
• Week 13: Final presentation.

Systems Engineering

• Systems Engineering integrates elements of many disciplines, including:
  • System modeling and simulation
  • Decision analysis
  • Project management and control
  • Requirements development
  • Software engineering
  • Specialty engineering
  • Industrial engineering
  • Specification writing
  • Risk management
  • Interpersonal relations
  • Liaison engineering
  • Operations analysis
  • Cost estimation
• Systems Engineering is an overarching discipline.
• Provides tradeoff analyses and integration between system elements.
• Aims to achieve the best overall product and/or service.
• Systems Engineering has a very quantitative approach.
• Involves tradeoff, optimization, selection, and integration of the products of many engineering disciplines.

Basic Definitions

• System: An integrated set of elements that accomplish a defined objective, including:
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Firmware
  • Processes
  • People
  • Information
  • Techniques
  • Facilities
  • Services
  • Other support elements
• Systems Engineering: An interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems.
• Systems Engineer: An engineer trained or experienced in the field of Systems Engineering.
• Systems Engineering Process: A predefined set of activities selectively used to accomplish Systems Engineering tasks.
• System Architecture: The arrangement of elements and subsystems and the allocation of functions to them to meet system requirements.

Hierarchy Within a System

• System: An integrated set of elements, segments and/or subsystems to accomplish a defined objective
• Element or Segment: A major product, service, or facility of the system
• Subsystem: An integrated set of assemblies, components, and parts
• Performs a cleanly and clearly separated function
• Assembly: An integrated set of components and/or subassemblies
• Comprise a defined part of a subsystem
• Subassembly: An integrated set of components and/or parts
• Comprise a well-defined portion of an assembly
• Component: Comprised of multiple parts; a cleanly identified item
• Part: The lowest level of separately identifiable items

Systems Engineer Responsibilities

• Managers designate system-oriented individuals for projects of moderate size and above.
• These individuals bind diverse system elements together.
• Systems Engineering represents the program manager in controlling the overall program technical effort, including:
  • Requirements analysis
  • Functional analysis and allocation
  • Architecture/design
  • Systems analysis and control
  • Verification and validation of the system
• Systems Engineers manage overall system functionality and performance daily, including internal/external interfaces.
• A Systems Engineer's job includes:
  • Defining, clarifying, and documenting requirements
  • Performing parametric analysis and tradeoffs
  • Recognizing when interface impacts might occur
  • Taking early action to avoid problems

Mapping the Systems Engineering Process

• Systems engineering activity spans the entire program life cycle.
• Starts with systems analysis, requirements definition, and conceptual design.
• Continues through production, operational support, planning for replacement, and eventual retirement and disposal.

Key Tasks of a Systems Engineering Process

• Pre-Proposal Activities: Mission, SRD, SOW, RFP, CDRL
• Requirements Analysis: Capture Source, Develop operational concept, Design Constraint plus Allocation
• Functional Analysis
• Systems Architecture Synthesis: System Elements, Integrated System Physical Config, Define /Refine interfaces.

Systems Engineering Process Tasks

• Define the System Objectives (User's Needs).
• Establish Performance Requirements (Requirements Analysis).
• Establish the Functionality (Functional Analysis).
• Evolve Design and Operations Concepts (Architecture Synthesis).
• Select a Baseline (Cost/Benefit Analysis).
• Verify that the Baseline Meets Requirements (User's Needs).
• Validate that the Baseline Satisfies the User (User's Needs).
• Iterate the Process through Lower Level Analysis (Decomposition).

Systems Engineering Tools

• Define the System Objectives (User's Needs):
  • Statement of work
  • Mission
• Establish Performance Requirements (Requirements Analysis):
  • Objectives tree
  • Requirements allocation
  • Performance spec
  • QFD
• Establish the Functionality (Functional Analysis):
  • Functional model
  • Object oriented modelling
  • N² chart
• Evolve Design and Operations Concepts (Architecture Synthesis):
  • Morphological chart
  • Concept generation
  • System Modeling & Simulation
• Select a Baseline (Cost/Benefit Analysis):
  • Tradeoff Studies
  • Risk Management
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Cost & Effectiveness Analysis

Teams Organization

• Appropriate disciplines are integrated into a coordinated Systems Engineering effort.
• Organizational structure supports team formation.
• Composition of functional and subsystem teams.
• Products each subsystem and higher-level team will support.
• Major responsibilities and authority of the Systems Engineering team members and technical parties.
• Present and planned program technical staffing.

Technical Management

• The 3 S's of project management:
  • Scope (Goals)
  • Spending (Specified budget)
  • Scheduling (Finish project on time)
• Managing technical projects consists of four functions:
  • Planning: Defining the 3S
  • Organizing: who does what
  • Leading: Division of work tasks are fair
  • Controlling: Measure progress and take corrective actions
• Techniques for planning and organizing are detailed hereafter.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

• Hierarchical representation of detailed tasks like a family tree.
• Work is decomposed into pieces small enough to estimate resources (human, financial, time).
• Each item that you take to a lower level should be broken into two or more subtasks.
• WBS should be complete, including what activities that consume resources or time are included.

Gantt Chart

• Gantt charts are easy to use and valuable for project management.
• It shows the tasks to be completed, persons responsible, start and end times/dates, and activity precedence.

Systems Engineering Projects

• Aerospace engineering projects:
  • Weather Balloon System
  • Drone for Package Delivery
  • CubeSat Mission Design
  • Lunar Surface Habitat Systems Integration
  • Mars Rover Power and Thermal Systems integration
• Automotive engineering projects:
  • Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Management System
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle System Design
  • Solar-Powered Roof System for Electric Vehicles
  • Autonomous Parking System integration
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Design

Project Proposal Content

• Project proposals should contain:
  • Introduction and Purpose
  • Scope of Work
  • Objectives and Deliverables
  • Timeline and Milestones
  • Performance Requirements
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Standards and Methodologies
  • Risk Management and Mitigation
  • Confidentiality and Intellectual Property