Systems Engineering

Why is there so much current debate on Systems Engineering ? Is it merely a buzzword for an activity that good engineers have always carried out, or is it a specific subject that needs more attention today than has been given to it in the past ? The reality is that modern systems are simply too large for a single person to fully comprehend in detail: they are bigger than a 'headful'. Systems Engineering concentrates on studying a system in its entirety and not focusing on a single sub-system or technology area. This exclusive workshop will reveal how to partition the problems into a set of manageable tasks that enable complex systems to be designed, implemented and operated effectively.

Course Content

An Introduction to Systems
- Concepts of the system boundary, synergy between sub-systems, emergent properties
- Classifications of systems
- Why we need Systems Engineering
- Information on cost escalation
- The roles of Systems Engineers

From Problem to Solution
- Classical design theory
- The difference between requirements and constraints
- The importance of system modelling
- Relational matrices as design analysis tools
- The myth of orthogonality
- Coping with dependence - a pragmatic approach to real systems
- Closing off options to reach the optimum solution

Architecture, Process and Internal Structure - Partitioning and Integration
- The three basic elements of system architecture
- System process models - the "Waterfall", the "Vdiagram", the "Design Spiral"
- The power of partitioning and the importance of interfaces
- The interface matrix
- Quantitative measures of connectivity and complexity

Managing Systems - Organisational Implication of System Complexity
- The system in a project and business environment - external constraints
- Requirement captures
- Hidden agendas and conflicting criteria
- Standards and benchmarks
- The limitations of management hierarchies - "Conway's Law"