IENG 135: SYSTEM ENGINEERING
gmcastillo
Outline
Topic 1: Introduction to Systems Engineering
Topic 2: The System Engineering Process
Topic 3: System Design Requirements
Topic 4: Engineering Design Methods and Tools
Topic 5: Design Review and Evaluation
Topic 6: System Engineering Program Planning
Topic 7: Organization for system engineering
Topic 8: System engineering program evaluation
Topic 1: Introduction to Systems Engineering
“System Engineering”
The orderly process of bringing a system into
being. A “system” comprises a complex combination
of resources (in the form of human beings, materials,
equipment, software, facilities, data, information,
services, etc.), integrated in such a manner as to
fulfill a designated need.
A system is developed to accomplish a specific function,
or series of functions, and may be classified as:
1. Natural system
2. Human-made system
3. Physical system
4. Conceptual system
5. Closed-loop system
6. Open-loop system
7. Static system
8. Dynamic system
System may vary in form, fit, and/or function:
A group of aircraft accomplishing a mission at a
specific geographical location
A communication network for distributing information on
a worldwide basis
A power distribution capability involving waterways
and electrical power generating units
Manufacturing facilities that produces x products in a
designated time frame
The Current Environment
Good understanding of the overall “environment” is
certainly a prerequisite in the successful
implementation of system engineering principles
and concepts.
The trends in Figure 1 are interrelated and need to
be addressed “in total” and as an integrated set in
determining the requirements for systems and in the
implementation of the system engineering process
The Current Environment
Constantly Changing
Increasing Globalization
Requirements
More Emphasis on “Systems” Greater International
(Versus Components) Competition
Increasing System Complexities The Current More Outsourcing (Multiple
(Evolving Technology Changes) Environment Prime/Supplier Teams)
Extended System Life Cycles Eroding Industrial Base
(Shorter Technology Changes) (Dwinding Resources)
Greater Utilization of
Higher Overall Life-Cycle
Commercial Off-the-Shelf
(COTS) Products Costs
Figure 1. The Current Environment
The Current Environment
Figure 2. The cost impact due to changes
Current practices
Cost of Design changes
Desired practices
Conceptual Preliminary Detail Design and Production and/or
Design Design Development construction
Major program phases
The Current Environment
High life-cycle
cost
Low System
•Research, design, and Effectiveness
development cost
•Construction cost •System performance
•Production cost •Availability, dependability,
•System operation cost reliability, maintainability, and
•Maintenance and support cost supportability
•Retirement, material recycling, •Constructability and producibility
and disposal cost •Disposability
•Other technical factors
Figure 3. The imbalance between system cost and effectiveness factors
The Current Environment
Acquisition Costs Poor Management
(research, design, test,
construction, production)
Costs due to system
operations Costs due to
maintenance and life
cycle support
Costs due to system (personnel, spares, test
effectiveness and/or equipment, facilities,
performance losses data, computer
resources)
Costs due to retirement
(material recycling or
disposal)
Figure 4. Total Cost Visibility
Definition of System
“Systêma” (Greek) = “organized whole”
“Regularly interacting or interdependent group of items
forming a unified whole” – Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary
“A composite of equipment, skills and techniques capable
of performing and/or supporting an operational role. A
complete system includes all equipment, related facilities,
material, software, services, and personnel required for
its operation and support to the degree that it can be
considered self sufficient unit in its intended environment”
(MIL-STD-499)
Definition of System
*A “system” is a construct or collection of different
elements that together produce results not obtainable
by the elements alone. The elements or parts, can
include people, hardware, software, facilities, policies,
and documents; that is, all things required to produce
system-level results. The results include system-level
qualities, properties, characteristics, functions, behavior,
and performance. The value added by the system as a
whole, beyond that contributed independently by the
parts, is primarily created by the relationship among
the parts; that is, how they are interconnected.
*Defined by International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
General characteristics of a system:
A system constitutes a complex combination of resources
in the form of human beings, materials, equipment,
software, facilities, data, money, etc.
A system is contained within some form of hierarchy
A system may be broken down into subsystems and
related components, extent of which depends on
complexity and the functions being performed.
A system must have a purpose
Categories of Systems
Natural and man-made systems
came into being through natural processes like river
system, energy system, hydroelectric power system
Physical and conceptual systems
Physical systems are those made up of real components
occupying space while conceptual systems can be
organization of ideas, sets of plans, etc.
Categories of Systems
Static and dynamic systems
Static system is having structure but without activity such
as bridge and warehouse. A dynamic system is one
that combines structural components with activity such as
manufacturing facility, conveyors, workers, etc.
Closed and open-loop systems
A closed loop system is one that is relatively self
contained and does not significantly interact with its
environment (electrical circuit) while open loop systems
interacts with its environment (system logistic support).
The System Framework
CONSTRAINTS
Technology Economic
Social Political
Environmental
SYSTEM
INPUT Transportation Communications
OUTPUT
Identification of Mfg. plant power distribution
A system that will
consumer Information proc. Water reuse and dist. respond to a
requirements; i.e. Waste disposal Satellite/Space consumer need in an
“need” University/Coll. Chem. Proc. Plant effective and
Office Complex efficient manner
Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical
Other functional entities
MECHANISMS
Human Equipment
Facilities/Data Materials
Maintenance Support
Major Elements of a System
Prime operating equipment
Operating software
Technical training
Test and support equipment
Maintenance software
Maintenance data
Supply support (spares/inventory)
Operating personnel
Consumable resources
Transportation and handling equipment
Maintenance personnel
Technical data
Maintenance facilities
Identified
Need
Production Retirement
Design and Operational Use and
and/or and material
Development Maintenance Support
Construction disposal
Feedback
Figure 6. The System Life Cycle
System Engineering
“System engineering is an engineering discipline whose
responsibility is to create and execute an
interdisciplinary process to ensure that the customer and
stakeholder’s needs are satisfied in a high-quality,
trustworthy, and cost and schedule efficient manner
throughout a system’s entire life cycle. This process is
usually comprised of the following seven tasks: State the
problem; Investigate the alternatives; Model the system;
Integrate; Launch the system; Assess the performance;
and Re-evaluate (SIMILAR). The systems engineering
process is not sequential. The functions are performed in
a parallel and iterative manner. “ - INCOSE
System engineering is good engineering with
certain designated areas of emphasis as follows:
A top down approach is required, viewing the
system as a whole.
A life cycle orientation is required, addressing all
the phases to include system design, development,
production, construction, distribution, operation,
sustaining maintenance and support, and retirement
and disposal phaseout.
A better and more complete effort is required relative
to the initial identification of system requirements,
relating these requirements to specific design goals, the
development of appropriate design criteria, and the
follow-on analysis effort to ensure the effectiveness of
early decision making in the design process.
An interdisciplinary effort (or team approach) is
required throughout the system design and
development process to ensure that all design
objectives are met in an effective manner.
