a complete approach to systems engineering becky reed, esep bill lamarsh, ph.d. reed integration,...

Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved

A CompleteApproach to SystemsEngineering

Becky Reed, ESEPBill LaMarsh, Ph.D.Reed Integration, Inc.SEDC ConferenceApril 2014


Abstract

In 2009, Money Magazine® listed Systems Engineer (SE) as the #1 job in America. SE was not in the top 10 Best Jobs for the next 3 years on the same list. Why is this? Two key areas have contributed to the SE competency being removed from this list. First, SE has not been defined and promoted as a complete, holistic view of a system. This system of interest does not have to be a multi-year complex solution. It can be something simple where functional requirements and an architectural approach is needed. Too often, SEs have become associated with Information Technology (IT) solutions exclusively – the assumption is this arena is the only domain where “architectural” solutions are needed.


About Becky

Reed Integration, Inc. Coastal Virginia & DC Region

• President and CEO• Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), INCOSE - 2010• Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), INCOSE - 2004

• 8(a), SDB, WOSB, EDWOSB• Technical and Management Services: SE, PM, Acquisition SE, Process

Improvement• Reed Learning Institute: PMP®/CSEP Prep, Professional Certificate Programs,

Custom Training ProgramsPrevious LifeMORGAN Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL and Hampton Roads, VA

Program Development Manager, Science & Engineering ProgramsSystems Eng & Integration WBS Manager, ISS microgravity research project

BWX Technologies, Inc., Lynchburg, VA & Livermore, CASystems Engineering Manager, Separator Engineering Group, LLNLLead Integration Engineer, medical isotope target manufacturing project Systems Engineer, Accelerator and Magnet Systems Division

Boeing consultant/Computer Sciences Corporation, Huntsville, ALInformation Systems Engineer for MSFC Propulsion Lab; PrISMS contract

Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Huntsville, ALLead Systems Engineer, Space Station Freedom Program


About Bill

Reed Integration, Inc. Director of the Reed Learning Institute:• Project/Program Management

• Fundamentals, Advanced Topics, PMP® Prep• Systems Engineering

• Fundamentals, Life Cycle Processes, CSEP Prep• Leadership

• Teambuilding, Technical Management• Security

• Cyber Systems, Security Requirements• Acquisition

• PWS/SOW/SOO Development, Acquisition Engineering

Previous LifeIT Contractor at NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Roads, VA

Project Manager supporting Information Technology (IT) solutions. Areas of supportinclude web design, Systems Administration, Financial Systems, IT Security, and

ArchitectureDesign.

Symantec Corporate Hampton Roads, Va.Lead Architect on PCAnywhere and other products.


Reed Integration has performed Systems Engineering process assessments for Federal and Commercial organizations. The assessments use the INCOSE Handbook as the best practice

benchmark.

Participation in many different Systems Engineering Groups.

Assessments and relationships are demonstrating a few consistent gap areas.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING

Let’s get back to the basics!


Project Planning Project Assessment & Control

Decision Management

Risk Management MeasurementConfiguration Management

Information Management

Stakeholders Requirements Definition

Requirements Analysis

Architectural Design

Implementation

Transition

Integration

Verification

Operation

Disposal

Maintenance

Validation

Project Processes

Technical Processes

Project Portfolio Management

Infrastructure Management

Life Cycle Model Management

Human Resource Management

Quality Management

Acquisition

Supply

Organizational Project-Enabling Processes

Agreement Processes

Process Guidelines

INCOSE SE Handbook v3.2.2 Chapter 1.3

System Life Cycle Processes Overview per ISO/IEC 15288


What is a System??Per the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Handbook:

An integrated set of elements that accomplish a defined objective. These elements include products (hardware, software, firmware), processes, people, information, techniques, facilities, services, and other support elements.

From Webster’s New Dictionary of the English Language:

A group of units so combined as to form a whole and to operate in unison.

*Photo courtesy of NG Mission Systems

http://media.primezone.com/noc/gallery/release?o=189&pkgid=581&start=27&max=9


An integrated approach to engineering and managing a system

Takes all aspects of a system (sometimes a project) into consideration to ensure an integrated, quality product!

Some aspects of a managing a system: Operational Scenarios / Environments Requirements / User Needs Architecture Interfacing systems Safety Issues

What is Systems Engineering?


What is Systems Engineering?

Define and understand the problem before you solve it!!!


Image of being a documentation/process career path.

Often noted as an “IT Role”, vs. traditional engineering support.

Difficult to quantify WHY SE processes are so important: Cost/Risk avoidance. Perceived as expensive. Standard processes get in the way.

Viewpoint of “someone else’s responsibility”.

SE Role/Function Variations


Most customers do not utilize Functional Analysis in technical processes.

Incorrect Assumptions: Team already *knows* what the requirements are. Functional Analysis takes too long. True engineering uses hard requirements, not

functional use case scenarios.

Generally excluded from traditional engineering discipline courses.

Consistent Gap Identified:Functional Analysis Rarely Used


Tailoring approach varies.Many Assumptions:

Tailoring is good for large projects but not for small projects.

Tailoring implies you know all the processes.Lack of understanding allows one to tailor

out anything that is unknown. If there are no standard processes/

templates, how do we tailor?Difficult to determine what to tailor, so reuse

previous processes and move on!

Tailoring Process


Most companies/projects generate Lessons Learned.

Few people ever use this information: Our project is different. That information is too old. They tailored out what I need. I cannot find the data I am looking for.

Leads to … lots of rework/relearning!

Historical Data


Projects rely heavily on SMEs.Research has shown:

SMEs are usually expensive. Became experts based upon their specific

application of knowledge (can be industry specific). Usually added when a project is in trouble.

Reliance on Senior Expertise


What is Systems Engineering? Project Managers of Technical Project. Historically they are Chief Engineers/Lead

Engineers. Engineers who are multidisciplinary.

Also noticed: Limited training and/or career track for Systems

Engineers. Excellent communication skills required. Inconsistency across industry/government with

roles.

Assessment Impressions

Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved 16

Everywhere! Systems Thinking/the SE framework applies to

different organizations. Example: presented a this approach to an IT Security problem

at a recent INCOSE conference – overwhelming agreement from the audience.

SE is not just for large and complex problems!

Where can SE Processes and Knowledge Be Applied?


SE is a unique field. Assessment allows an organization to benchmark their SE

solutions. Education/training is needed on applications and value! Systems Engineering allows for creative and innovative

solutions. Need to start back at the basics and defining the system of

interest, stakeholders, functions!

Summary


Certifications 8(a) through 2016 WOSB/EDWOSB Small Disadvantaged

Business SWAM (Virginia) PMI Registered

Education Provider (R.E.P.)

Private On-Site Training• Customized course content• Delivered anywhere in US

Academic Partner Training• Old Dominion University• Florida Institute of Technology• Virginia Community College System

Services• Acquisition Systems Engineering• Systems Engineering Office Setup / Support• Program / Project Management Office Setup / Support• Process Maturity Assessments• Risk Processes Development and Implementation

Staff Augmentation / Mentoring• PMI Certified Project Managers• INCOSE Certified Systems Engineers• Risk Managers• Analysts

Commercial:

Reed Integration, Inc.


Thank You!!

• Thanks for attending!• Keep in touch:

Becky Reed, ESEPPresident/CEO

[email protected]: 757-638-3238Cell: 757-338-3238

Dr. Bill LaMarsh, PMP, CISSPDirector, Reed Learning [email protected]

Office: 757-541-8033Cell: 757-810-5971

www.reedintegration.com

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.reedintegration.com/

a complete approach to systems engineering becky reed, esep bill lamarsh, ph.d. reed integration,...

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