Every discipline has a set of underlying principles which fundamentally characterize it. Discipline knowledge and practice are either explicitly or implicitly derived from its principles.
Systems engineering exists to develop a solution to meet a need. This is the motivation of systems engineers in accomplishing their work. To address this, a set of systems engineering processes exist, and a set of systems engineering principles to articulate the basic concepts that guide systems engineering processes have recently emerged.
While systems engineering is still a young discipline, a number of experts in the field have proposed underlying principles, such as:
- Transcends a particular lifecycle model or phase
- Transcends system types
- Transcends a system context
- Is not a “how to” statement
- Is focused, clearly worded and concise
- Informs a world view on Systems Engineering
Systems engineering encompasses a holistic view to the design and analysis of engineering problems by complex systems that are represented by mathematical models. In a more generic sense, system analysis has to do with planning, designing, manufacturing, operating and managing to exploit functional, technical, social, environmental, and esthetic applications.
It requires the creative manipulation and coordination of materials and technology, and most important of all, the stability and reliability of its performance.
The systems engineering process is sometimes explained by a ‘V’ diagram. The left leg of the ‘V shape’ contains a top-down cascaded process from the system, subsystem to component level about product definition, requirements analysis, as well as development and allocation of design specifications.
The bottom of the V shape has the product design and prototype build. The right leg of the V shape contains a bottom-up integration process from the component, subsystem to system level about product verification and testing validation. The left and right legs of the V shape are connected or communicated by passing the validation result.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Systems Engineering Certificate, a 3-week course created to introduce the concept system thinking, seeing the bigger picture and facilitating through a modern agile and lean process, cross activities and inter-disciplinary involvement to enable the realization of successful systems and system of systems (SoS).
Additionally, Tonex offers nearly 400 classes, seminars and workshops in close to four dozen categories of systems engineering training, including:
—Agile Software Development Training (4 days)
—Aerospace Systems Engineering Training (3 days)
—Autonomous Driving Fundamentals (3 days)
—Electronic Warfare Training Crash Course (4 days)
—Embedded Systems Engineering Certificate (4 days)
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.