Systems Engineering 101
Oisín Industries defines "systems engineering" as a methodical, multi-disciplinary approach encompassing the design, realization, technical management, operations, and retirement of a system. A system, in this context, refers to the amalgamation of elements functioning cohesively to generate the capability necessary to fulfill a specific need. These elements encompass hardware, software, equipment, facilities, personnel, processes, and procedures—all essential components for producing system-level results, inclusive of qualities, properties, characteristics, functions, behavior, and performance. The inherent value of the system, beyond the individual contributions of its parts, is primarily derived from the interconnection among these components, making systems engineering a holistic approach to making technical decisions.
This methodology serves as a means of comprehensively addressing stakeholder functional, physical, and operational performance requirements within the intended use environment over the planned life of the system while adhering to cost, schedule, and other constraints. Systems engineering, fundamentally, is a logical framework for thinking.
The art and science of systems engineering involve developing an operable system capable of meeting requirements within often conflicting constraints. It is a holistic and integrative discipline that evaluates and balances contributions from various engineering disciplines to create a coherent whole not dominated by any single perspective. The goal is to achieve a safe and balanced design amid opposing interests and multiple constraints.
The systems engineer, often referred to as lead systems engineer, technical manager, or chief engineer, is tasked with identifying and focusing efforts on assessments to optimize the overall design without favoring one system or subsystem at the expense of another. The key lies in knowing when and where to probe, making personnel with these skills critical in the field. The role and responsibility of a systems engineer may vary from project to project, depending on size and complexity, as well as from phase to phase of the life cycle. However, regardless of specific titles, the functions of systems engineering should be fulfilled.
The lead systems engineer ensures that the system meets defined needs and requirements, overseeing systems engineering activities performed by the technical team. They play a pivotal role in developing the concept of operations, defining system architecture, allocating requirements, evaluating design tradeoffs, managing technical risk, defining and assessing interfaces, and overseeing verification and validation activities. The systems engineer guides the technical planning effort and is responsible for documenting technical plans, requirements, specifications, verification and validation documents, certification packages, and other technical documentation.
Build The Right Thing and Build The Thing Right
In essence, the systems engineer excels in balancing organizational, cost, and technical interactions in complex systems. They contribute significantly to Program and Project Planning and Control (PP&C) by providing accurate and timely cost and schedule information for technical activities. Systems engineering is inherently about tradeoffs and compromises, employing a broad, crosscutting view of the system rather than a narrow, single-discipline perspective. It is focused on achieving the "big picture" and ensuring not only the right design but also the design that enables operational goals and meets stakeholder expectations.
Within the project organization, systems engineering plays a pivotal role, addressing three main objectives of project management: managing technical aspects, managing the project team, and managing cost and schedule. These functions are interrelated, with systems engineering concentrating on the technical characteristics of decisions and providing this information to the project manager. The Project Planning and Control (PP&C) function, on the other hand, is responsible for identifying and controlling project costs and schedules. The project manager holds overall responsibility for managing the project team and ensuring the delivery of a technically correct system within established cost and schedule parameters. Notably, there are areas of overlap between systems engineering and PP&C, where SE provides technical aspects or inputs, and PP&C provides programmatic, cost, and schedule inputs.
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