Chapter 2: Overview of
Essentials
ISE 443 / ETM 543
Fall 2013
“a system is any process that converts inputs
to outputs” (pg. 3)

and is usually composed of hardware, software, and human beings.
For example,

radar systems convert electromagnetic radiation into information about objects in
the airspace around an airport

radar, communication, and other systems, as well as the human controllers are
part of the air traffic control system at the airport

air traffic control, transportation, and other systems, along with pilots, planners, and
other humans are the National Aviation System (NAS)

etc.
“A project is an assemblage of people and
equipment ...” that “addresses the matter of
designing and developing ... systems” (pg. 4)
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“The success of a system is dependent on
the skills of the people on a project and how
well they are able to work together.” (pg. 4)

The project manager (PM) bears primary
responsibility for the success of the project team
 the
PM might be an engineer but the role is bigger
than that

For large-scale systems, the Chief Systems
Engineer (CSE) is responsible for the technical
aspects of the project
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There are a number of definitions of
systems engineering ...



“An interdisciplinary approach and means to
enable the realization of successful systems.”
(INCOSE)
“An interdisciplinary engineering management
process to evolve and verify an integrated, life
cycle balanced set of system solutions that
satisfy customer needs.” (Defense Systems
Management College)
“A robust approach to the design, creation and
TABLE 1.1
operation of systems.” (NASA)*
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The Department of Defense says that
Systems Engineering ...

Involves design and management of a total
system which includes hardware and software,
as well as other system life-cycle elements. The
systems engineering process is a structured,
disciplined, and documented technical effort
through which systems products and processes
are simultaneously denned, developed and
integrated. Systems Engineering is most
effectively implemented as part of an overall
integrated product and process development
effort using multidisiplinary teamwork.
FIGURE 1.2
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The goal is an effective and cost-effective
solution

System cost is determined from a life-cycle
perspective, with the 3 major categories being
1.
2.
3.

Research, development, test, and evaluation
(RDT&E)
Acquisition or procurement, and
Operations and maintenance (O&M)
System effectiveness is a function of
Availability
2. Dependability
3. Capability
1.
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NASA lists 17 “common technical
processes” in the systems design process
(pg. 9-10)
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All systems are subject to errors ...

Type 1 errors



Car alarm fails to go off during a break in

Radar fails to detect an object in the airspace

Flights cancelled or delayed
Type 2 errors


The system does not respond to an input
The system responds inappropriately (“false alarm”)

Car alarm goes off when no one is around

Radar shows a “target” that isn’t there

Plane is diverted midflight due to bad weather
A critical goal of systems engineering is to identify,
quantify, and control the errors that might occur in the
system.
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Problems in the management of
projects can be attributed to the “big 3”
Scope
Time
Cost
FIGURE 1.3
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There are a number of reasons why projects
don’t satisfy these 3, including ...







Inadequate articulation of requirements
Poor planning
Inadequate technical skills and continuity
Lack of teamwork
Poor communications and coordination
Insufficient monitoring of progress
Inferior corporate support
FIGURE 1.4
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(pg. 16)
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The “systems approach” provides guidance
(pg. 17)
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A [typical?] project organization might look
like this ...
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Project teams are formed within the larger
corporate structure
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A key role of the PM is to interact with a
variety of constituencies to ensure project
success ...








Management
Functional managers
Accounting/finance
Contracts
Marketing/sales
Human resources
CIO / CTO
Customers
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