Introduction to System and Software Engineering for Non-Engineers Training by Tonex
This 2-day course is designed to demystify the fundamental concepts of system and software engineering for professionals without a technical background. It provides a high-level understanding of how systems and software are designed, developed, tested, and maintained — enabling participants from roles such as business, operations, program management, HR, and finance to work more effectively with engineering teams.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain what system and software engineering are and how they fit into organizational goals.
- Understand the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and system development lifecycle (SysDL).
- Communicate more effectively with engineers and developers.
- Recognize key roles, deliverables, and tools used in engineering projects.
- Appreciate the importance of requirements, architecture, testing, quality, and iteration.
- Understand the challenges and urgency of integrating new capabilities in DoD platforms.
- Explore the concept of system-of-systems interoperability and modular design.
- Learn how advanced collaborative design tools enable rapid feedback, prototyping, and secure co-authoring.
- Appreciate the role of platforms like Tangram Pro in accelerating code generation, verification, and secure deployment.
- Recognize how software integration impacts safety, mission success, and warfighter support.
- Explore how to confidently advocate for safe and accelerated modernization programs within the DoD.
Target Audience:
- Project Managers, Product Owners, and Business Analysts
- Operations and Support Staff
- Human Resources and Recruiting Professionals
- Finance and Procurement Officers
- Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support Staff
- Anyone who works with or supports engineering teams
Prerequisites:
- No engineering or programming background required.
- Basic familiarity with team and project collaboration is helpful.
Included Materials:
- Participant Workbook (PDF)
- Glossary of Common Engineering Terms
- Diagram Pack: Lifecycle Models, Architecture Views, Process Flow
- Quick Reference Sheet: Roles & Responsibilities
Course Outline:
Day 1: Systems Thinking & System Engineering Fundamentals
Module 1: What is a System?
- Definition of systems and subsystems
- System life cycle stages
- Systems thinking vs. reductionist thinking
- Examples of real-world systems (transport, defense, enterprise IT)
Module 2: Introduction to System Engineering
- Purpose and goals of systems engineering
- Stakeholders and requirements gathering
- Concept of operations (CONOPS)
- Verification vs. validation
Module 3: System Development Lifecycle
- Planning, Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing, Maintenance
- V-Model and Waterfall vs. Agile System Development
- Key deliverables and artifacts (e.g., SRS, ICD, test plan)
Module 4: Communication in Technical Projects
- How non-engineers can collaborate with engineers
- Common engineering documentation explained
- Writing effective emails and reports for technical teams
Workshop: Build a system from scratch (case study – e.g., smart home system or metro ticketing)
Day 2: Software Engineering Essentials
Module 5: Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Introduction to SDLC models: Waterfall, Agile, DevOps
- Roles: Developer, Tester, Architect, Scrum Master, Product Owner
- Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Maintenance
Module 6: Understanding Code Without Writing It
- High-level overview of how code works
- Programming languages and tools explained for non-engineers
- Role of APIs, databases, front-end vs. back-end
Module 7: Software Architecture & Quality
- Architecture basics: monolithic, client-server, microservices
- Key concepts: scalability, reliability, maintainability, modularity
- Software quality attributes and trade-offs
Module 8: Agile, DevOps, and Modern Practices
- Introduction to Agile principles and Scrum framework
- CI/CD and DevOps culture
- Tools: JIRA, Git, Jenkins, Docker (basic overview)
Case Study: Modernizing DoD Systems: Integrated Software for Mission-Critical Operations
Workshop: Create a mock software project plan with user stories, acceptance criteria, and feedback loop – Confidently Integrating New Software Across DoD Domains
This hands-on, high-level workshop equips non-engineering professionals with the insight and vocabulary to understand, participate in, and support rapid integration of mission-critical software systems across the DoD. It addresses the urgency of modern missions, interoperability, legacy modernization, and safety/security assurance in deployed systems.
Workshop Elements:
1: The Mission-Driven Need for Software Integration
- Why today’s missions require faster integration than traditional methods allow
- Impacts of delays on operational effectiveness
- Risks of manual change management in legacy systems
- Case example: Delayed upgrade in fielded battlefield communications system
2: Modular, Secure, and Interoperable System Design
- What is modular architecture and why it matters
- Visualizing system-of-systems collaboration
- How shared components, open interfaces, and composability help accelerate modernization
- Illustration: Modular DoD system with shared code (Tangram Pro context)
3: Co-Design and Agile Collaboration in DoD Environments
- Real-time model co-editing to shorten review cycles
- Design environments supporting secure collaboration and brainstorming
- Demonstration: Collaborative design environment supporting CI/CD into secure DoD environments
4: Tangram Pro as a Modern Integration Platform
- Overview of Tangram Pro capabilities
- System architecture modeling
- Auto-generation of integration code
- Pre-verification of component behavior
- How it supports security, interoperability, and speed
- How non-engineers support requirements and change management across teams
Interactive Exercise
Scenario-Based Group Work (Breakout Sessions)
Participants are given a fictional mission scenario:
“The Joint Task Force must integrate a new data fusion algorithm into a multi-platform surveillance system within 90 days.”
Participants will:
- Identify system-of-systems and stakeholders
- Map basic architecture (non-technical)
- Suggest modernization pathways using modular and co-design principles
- Discuss safety, interoperability, and warfighter-centric goals
Outcome
Participants walk away with:
- A clear understanding of how software is safely integrated into critical DoD platforms
- Exposure to modern tools that automate code generation and verification
- Confidence in contributing to requirements development, team collaboration, and communication during modernization efforts
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Optional Enhancements
- Include live demonstration of Tangram Pro or similar platforms (with partner involvement if applicable)
- Extend to 1-day technical+non-technical mixed audience workshop
- Provide print-ready or digital workbook with diagrams and case studies
Workshop Certificate: “Modern DoD Software Integration and Interoperability – Executive Awareness Certificate”
Upon completion, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from Tonex.