SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Technical Committee Handbook
Version 2.0
February 23, 2011
SETC Technical Committee Handbook
Revision 2.0
February 23, 2011
Table of Contents
1.
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 3
2.
CHARTER.............................................................................................................................. 3
3.
VISION ................................................................................................................................... 3
4. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................ 3
5.
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS .......................................................................................... 4
6.
MEMBERSHIP ...................................................................................................................... 4
7.
MEETINGS ............................................................................................................................ 5
8.
OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE .......................................................................................... 5
9.
ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS ....................................................................... 6
9.1. SETC Offices and Duties ................................................................................................. 6
9.2. Selection of Officers .......................................................................................................... 7
10.
SUBCOMMITTEES ............................................................................................................ 8
10.1. Membership...................................................................................................................... 8
10.2. Systems Engineering Journal.......................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
11.
SETC FUND ......................................................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX 1: INCOSE PROFESSIONAL WORKING AGREEMENT ............................ 11
APPENDIX 2: SETC CHAIRS EMERETI.............................................................................. 15
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1. Introduction
This handbook provides information and guidelines to members of the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Systems Engineering Technical Committee (SETC). It
lists the various activities and subcommittees of the SETC as well as relevant world-wide web
links. This handbook is a living document subject to revision and update and is evaluated for
currency by the SETC chair on an annual basis. This and other information about the SETC’s
structure and activities is also located on the web at:
https://info.aiaa.org/tac/ETMG/SETC/default.aspx
2. Charter
To foster the definition, dissemination, development, understanding and application of system
engineering processes, methodologies and tools to aeronautics and space.
3. Vision
Systems Engineering for Aerospace Success.
4. Strategic Objectives
The AIAA SETC shall endeavor to accomplish the following strategic objectives in support of its
Charter:
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Increase our value to the AIAA members by:
o Establishing a consistent avenue for publishing of aerospace-related SE papers
o Establishing regular forums for presentation of SE papers
o Participating in the development of and/or generate appropriate SE standards
relevant to aerospace
o Generating and/or distributing white papers, position papers and reference
material on aspects of SE to educate and inform practitioners and nonpractitioners
o Provide committee expertise for AIAA development of Professional Development
courses
o Establishing liaisons to other relevant organizations and look for collaboration
opportunities within and outside of AIAA
Increase our value to the SETC members by:
o Provide networking and information sharing opportunities
o Provide alternative technical outlet for members
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5. Activities and Projects
The scope of activities and projects concern all aspects of promoting the identification,
understanding, and application of the principles, processes, and technologies essential to the
engineering of systems within the aerospace community. This encompasses the following:
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Identification, assessment, and dissemination of the efficacy of principles, processes, and
technologies associated with the engineering of systems (i.e., of products, processes, or
services)
Study of the interrelationship of process, culture, and infrastructure affecting the engineering
of systems
Identification, assessment, and dissemination of effective practices concerning the integration
of the technical and related non-technical environments essential to the engineering of a
system
Participation in the revision of existing standards and guidebooks, or development of new
standards and guidebooks associated with these endeavors
Identification of changes in affecting the engineering or reengineering of systems, and
determination and dissemination of the potential impacts of such changes on the aerospace
community
Sponsorship of national symposia, workshops, conferences, or tutorials having a professional
reputation for excellence and applicability to systems engineering and to processes for the
engineering or reengineering of systems
Performance as chair of sessions and tracks, presentations of technical papers, or performing
as instructor(s) of tutorials at such events
Definition and implementation of measures of merit for ensuring effectiveness of the
application of these principles, processes, and technologies and the resultant recommendation
and implementation of improvements related thereto
Establishment of standards and guidelines for improving formal education and understanding
concerning the practice of these endeavors with respect to the engineering of systems
Collaboration and participation within AIAA and with other organizations towards these
endeavors. A working agreement with the International Council on Systems Engineering
(INCOSE) exists. A copy of the agreement is contained in Appendix A.
Dissemination of the results of these activities throughout the Systems Engineering
community
6. Membership
The SETC consists of a maximum of 35 regular members, and a number of associate,
international and alumni members with a total number of members not exceeding 50. The
SETC encourages the active recruitment of new members, which share an interest in developing
and promoting these ideals, and are willing to be an active participant in achieving our goals.
Ideally, membership will be equitably distributed among government, industry, and academia;
and young and experienced practitioners.
New membership applications are reviewed as they become available to the committee. A
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simple majority of the quorum is sufficient to approve the membership of an interested applicant.
Each member will normally serve an annually renewable three-year term (as prescribed by
AIAA), extended as appropriate at the discretion of the Chair. All regular members of the SETC
have voting privileges. Continuing regular membership in the SETC is contingent upon
active participation in the affairs of the committee.
All members must have the continuing support of their organizations to contribute adequate time
and energy to TC projects. Members are encouraged to attend the face-to-face meetings held
twice a year. Participation in 75% of the monthly telecons is required unless the absences are
excused. All TC members must be AIAA members. If a non-AIAA member is appointed to the
TC, he or she must become an AIAA member before serving.
Current members of the AIAA, 35 years or younger, may be appointed on the basis of technical
merit as Associate Members. As with regular members, the term may be extended at the
discretion of the TC Chair. Associate Members may attend any SETC or subcommittee meeting
and typically actively engage in carrying out committee work. Associate Members will have no
voting privileges on the TC, but may (with consent) act as a substitute for a regular SETC
Member with proxy.
International members are representatives from outside the US who have an interest in the
activities of the SETC, serve as liaisons to professional organizations or research activities that
are of interest to the SETC and its constituency, and contribute to the conduct of the committee's
technical activities.
Prior chairs of the SETC are included as part of the SETC membership as emeritus or alumni
members. They may participate in SETC as long as they wish after their term as Chair,
presuming that they remain members of the SETC and AIAA. Appendix B identifies the past
Chairs of the SETC.
7. Meetings
The SETC holds two annual face-to-face meetings at a location decided by the committee. The
winter meeting is the planning meeting, where elections are held, new member applications are
considered, and planning for the upcoming year is performed. The SETC Chair sets the agenda
and leads the SETC meetings. Subcommittee Chairs report at the meeting on the status of
activities of the subcommittees. SETC meetings are often attended by liaisons from other AIAA
TCs, and occasionally by representatives from other professional societies.
The SETC also holds monthly telecons to discuss matters of interest to the committee and
discuss status of ongoing projects. Reminders of the SETC monthly meetings are automatically
sent by email to committee members registered on the internal SETC website.
8. Operational Structure
The SETC determines and accomplishes its goals through a formal structure comprised of
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1)
2)
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Elected and appointed officers (Chair, Chair-elect, Secretary, Website editor)
Standing Subcommittees (defined below)
Working Groups (temporary group assigned to a particular task or project)
Liaisons to other AIAA Technical Committees (TCs), AIAA Program Committees
(PCs) and other professional organizations
Selection of goal and activities requires a quorum to be present. The SETC defines a quorum as
10 members present at a meeting (either in person or participating remotely). When a quorum is
present, action may be taken if a simple majority approves.
9. Elected and Appointed Officers
The officers of the SETC are the Chair, the Vice-Chair (the Chair-elect), Secretary, and the
Website editor. There is only one election, that of the Chair-elect. The Chair-elect accedes to
Chair, and after a two-year term, becomes a Chair Emeritus (Alumnus) member of the SETC.
The Secretary and Website editor are appointed positions, and may continue to serve across
terms of various SETC Chairs.
9.1. SETC Offices and Duties
The following describes the roles and responsibilities of each SETC officer.
9.1.1. Responsibilities of the Chair
The Chair is responsible for the overall management and planning for the SETC.
specifically includes:
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This
Providing leadership and coordination of the SETC and its Subcommittees
Appointing the Secretary, Website editor, and Subcommittee Chairs
Coordinating strategic planning and annual objective setting
Maintaining an up-to-date list of subcommittee assignments and subcommittee members,
including members of the technical organizing committees for the various future technical
meetings and conferences
Providing liaison to the AIAA, including preparation of an Annual Report to the AIAA each
year by January 31
Planning and implementation of programs for each meeting with emphasis on obtaining guest
speakers possessing information and knowledge which enhances our members understanding
and application of systems engineering
Assigning to or Eliciting from a SETC member the responsibility to write the Year-inReview article for Aerospace America
Directing and approving updates to the SETC Handbook
Submitting position papers or draft standards to the AIAA Technical Activities Committee
(TAC) or AIAA Standards Executive Council (SEC)
Reporting official roster to the AIAA each year by January 31
Interfacing with the Director and Deputy Director of the AIAA TAC Engineering and
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Technology Management Group (ETM)
Review and render decisions related to proposals for dispersing SETC funds
9.1.2. Responsibilities of the Vice Chair
The Vice Chair is responsible for supporting the Chair. This specifically includes:
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Chairing AIAA SETC sessions in the absence of the Chair
Chairing of the Steering Subcommittee
Assisting the Chair in new members selection
Assisting the Chair with physical arrangements for each session
Maintaining the contents of the SETC Handbook, submitting updates to the Chair by March
15 of each year.
9.1.3. Responsibilities of the Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for supporting the Chair. This specifically includes:
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Recording minutes and action items for each meeting
Publishing and distributing meeting minutes to all SETC members
Maintaining a calendar of events
Managing SETC funds/account
9.1.4. Responsibilities of the Website editor
The Website editor is responsible for supporting the Chair. This specifically includes:
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Provide liaison to the AIAA website maintainers
Maintain the internal website content and permissions for the SETC AIAA website
Maintain the external website content and permissions for the SETC AIAA website
9.2. Selection of Officers
The Vice Chair (Chair-elect) will be elected by a majority vote of the members In January of
even-numbered years. The set of candidates for Vice Chair (all of which will accept the
nomination), are to be named by a nominating committee prior to the winter meeting. Balloting
by SETC members begins at the winter meeting, and must be completed in person or
electronically by January 31. Votes are collected by the current chair. The person receiving the
most votes is elected. Ties will be handled at the discretion of the current chair.
The Chair-elect is elected for a two-year term (followed by a two-year term as Chair). New
officers (the incoming Chair and Chair-elect) accede to their positions on May 1 of the year
following his or her election.
The Secretary and Website editor are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the Chair.
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Subcommittees
Subcommittees carry out functions for the SETC that are not specific to one of the three primary
technical areas, but rather deal with the SETC as a whole. The current Standing subcommittees
are:
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2)
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4)
5)
6)
7)
Membership
Steering
Standards
Publications
Education
Conferences
Liaisons
10.1. Membership
The membership subcommittee is responsible for collecting and reviewing new member
applications, providing a summary recommendation of new applicants as they become available
to the committee for consideration and maintaining the official SETC roster. The subcommittee
is also responsible for developing and maintaining a set of guidelines for acceptance of new
members.
10.2. Steering
The Steering subcommittee is chaired by the current Vice-Chair of the SETC and is responsible
for the following:
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Determining a set of candidates for election to the position of Vice-Chair.
Provide oversight to special projects at the discretion of the Chair.
10.3. Standards
The Standards subcommittee is responsible for performing all the steps necessary to develop,
finalize, and maintain Systems Engineering related Standard or guidelines document using the
AIAA processes and procedures. The Standards subcommittee is also responsible for
communicating current status of the Systems Engineering Committee on Standards (SECoS)
activities to the SETC members.
10.4. Publications
The Publications subcommittee is responsible for performing all of the steps necessary to
develop, finalize, and maintain Systems Engineering related publications using the AIAA
processes and procedures. These publications include, but are not limited to, books and special
sections of journals.
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10.5. Education
The Education subcommittee is responsible for the development and maintenance of SETC
specific professional development materials and Systems Engineering references (eg Webinars,
bibliographies). The Education subcommittee is also responsible for communicating current
status of the subcommittee activities and projects to the SETC members.
10.6. Conferences
The Conferences subcommittee is responsible for the Systems Engineering related sessions.
This activity includes:
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Acting as a liaison between the SETC and the conference committee.
Providing the call for paper information for the Systems Engineering sessions.
Providing reviewers for the abstracts and papers related to the sessions.
Providing session chairs for the sessions.
Providing any other conference support as required to insure the success of the Systems
Engineering session.
The Conferences subcommittee is also responsible for communicating current status of the
subcommittee activities and projects to the SETC members.
10.7. Liaisons
The Liaisons subcommittee is responsible for the following:
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Coordination with other AIAA technical and program committees that have initiatives in
support of the Strategic Plan of the SETC.
Coordination with other professional organizations and societies that have initiatives in
support of the Strategic Plan of the SETC.
The Liaisons subcommittee is also responsible for communicating current status of the
subcommittee activities and projects to the SETC members.
11.
SETC Fund
AIAA has set aside funds for Technical Committees to use for “special projects”. These funds
are derived from two sources, i) TAC-administered funds including SETC funding from Group
Directors (about $700/- annually) and Vice President-Technical Funds ($200/- annually, utilized
after Director-funding is exhausted), and ii) other funds raised through registration fees from
SETC-organized conferences and other activities such as short courses.
Any SETC member may initiate a request at any time by submitting a short proposal to the
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SETC Chair who will ensure that the request fits within the stated objectives of the SETC. The
proposal should clearly list the objective, funding level and benefit to the SETC. The Chair of the
SETC will either approve/disapprove or, at the Chair’s discretion, will seek the approval of the
full SETC for the proposal. If the proposal is approved, the SETC chair will determine the
appropriate source of funds and then communicate with the Staff Liaison of the AIAA (or
authorize the Secretary to do so) to ensure timely disbursement of funds.
TAC-administered fund disbursements are generally vectored towards accomplishing one or
more of the following objectives:
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One-time expenses for new programs/initiatives
Promoting the mission of the TC, aerospace/aviation in general, or student outreach
Promoting fulfillment of Strategic Plan/Vision
Enhancing/improving activity or event requiring funding beyond current year budget
Requests will generally be turned down if:
 The activity can be interpreted as a regular yearly activity (scholarships)
 Activity occurs too far after the end of the fiscal year (Sept 30)
Specifically prohibited items are
 Funding for personal benefit
 Any activity that would violate the AIAA Code of Ethics (located on the AIAA website at
www.aiaa.org/information/ethics.html)
 Funding requests for capital equipment (computers, projectors, palm pilots, etc.)
Since these funds cannot be “cached”, it is important that worthy projects be considered in a
timely fashion. Applications to AIAA must be made through a special application form
available from AIAA.
Funds raised separately by the SETC are not subject to AIAA review but must conform to the
above directives on ethical use. Other restrictions, such as those on funding annual activity, are
imposed at the discretion of the SETC. These funds can be “cached”.
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Appendix 1: INCOSE Professional Working Agreement
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AIAA/INCOSE Professional Working Agreement
January 1997
Purpose:
To promote systems engineering and related professional areas that are of mutual interest and
benefit to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronuatics (AIAA) and the International
Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).
Scope:
The AIAA Systems Engineering Technical Committee (SETC) and the INCOSE Technical
Board (TB).
Assignment:
1.
Information exchange in areas of mutual interest.
The SETC and TB staff shall ensure that SETC and TB exchange:
2.
1.1
Meeting minutes at the time of their regular distribution.
1.2
Priority tasks list, as published.
1.3
By mutual agreement, any other unpublished materials.
Initiation and implementation of joint projects.
2.1
Joint projects may be initiated by mutual agreement between Chairs of SETC and
TB, or specified delegates.
2.1a
In the event concurrence of the AIAA Volunteer/Professional or TB staff, or the
respective full committees, is required prior to paragraph 2.1 initiation, the
respective Chairs or specified delegates shall obtain such concurrence by the most
rapid means practicable.
2.2
The lead association and project team member shall be determined by mutual
agreement at the time of project initiation.. The lead association shall designate
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the project leader.
2.2a
Team members may be added or changed by mutual agreement between the
respective Chairs, or as otherwise mutually agreed to at project initiation.
2.3
The project leader shall prepare and obtain project team and initiators’
concurrence with the project's purpose, scope, objectives and key milestone
schedule. These shall be provided to the SETC's Secretary and TB's staff, who
shall maintain logs of all joint proposals.
2.4
When SETC/TB wishes to join an activity already under way, they shall accept
the project purpose, scope, objectives and key milestones schedule "as is", unless
otherwise negotiated. The project shall be logged as above.
2.5
Project implementation and statistics reporting shall be as agreed to by the project
initiator's, or "as is" if already underway.
2.6
All project results (i.e., documentation/products) shall be shared equally by SETC
and TB.
2.7
Any disputes shall be referred to the SETC/TB Chairs. The Chairs shall attempt to
resolve disputes in a win - win manner.
2.8
Joint projects may be terminated by either initiator at any time. The results of
work prior to termination shall be shared equally.
3. Standards Development
3.1
The TB will be invited to participate on the definition, development and
publication of all systems engineering standards produced by the SETC.
3.1a
On joint projects, INCOSE will be co-author with the SETC.
3.1a
AIAA will retain all copyright and sales rights to published standards.
3.1b
On joint projects, INCOSE will have the right to the same member discount as
AIAA members.
4. Termination
4.1
This agreement may be terminated by either INCOSE or AIAA at any time, on
thirty (30) days notice to the other party.
/s/ Donna Rhodes
/s/ Bruce Pittman
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Donna H. Rhodes, Chair
Technical Board
International Council on
Systems Engineering
R. Bruce Pittman, Deputy Director
Engineering & Technology Management
AIAA Technical Activities Committee
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Appendix 2: SETC Chairs (Alumni Membership)
John Day,Inspace Systems (2008-2010)
John Hsu, Boeing (2006-2008)
James Sturges, Lockheed Martin (2004-2006)
Sharon K. Crockett, NASA Langley Research Center (2002-2004)
C. Stephen Kuehl, Raytheon Technical Services Company (2000-2002)
John C. Ruth – Boeing Helicopters (1999-2000)
Richard M. Harwell - SYSTEM Perspectives (1996-1998)
R. Bruce Pittman - Profit Engineering Technologies (1994-1996)
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