Introduction Systems Engineering Fundamentals SYSTEMS ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS January 2001 SUPPLEMENTARY TEXT PREPARED BY THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY PRESS FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA 22060-5565 i Systems Engineering Fundamentals Introduction ii Introduction Systems Engineering Fundamentals TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................. iv PART 1. INTRODUCTION Chapter 1. Introduction to Systems Engineering Management ............................................. 3 Chapter 2. Systems Engineering Management in DoD Acquisition .................................... 11 PART 2. THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS Chapter 3. Systems Engineering Process Overview ............................................................ 31 Chapter 4. Requirements Analysis ....................................................................................... 35 Chapter 5. Functional Analysis and Allocation.................................................................... 45 Chapter 6. Design Synthesis ................................................................................................ 57 Chapter 7. Verification ......................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 8. Systems Engineering Process Outputs ............................................................... 73 PART 3. SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND CONTROL Chapter 9. Work Breakdown Structure ................................................................................ 85 Chapter 10. Configuration Management................................................................................ 91 Chapter 11. Technical Reviews and Audits............................................................................ 99 Chapter 12. Trade Studies .................................................................................................... 111 Chapter 13. Modeling and Simulation ................................................................................. 117 Chapter 14. Metrics.............................................................................................................. 125 Chapter 15. Risk Management ............................................................................................. 133 PART 4. PLANNING, ORGANIZING, AND MANAGING Chapter 16. Systems Engineering Planning ......................................................................... 147 Chapter 17. Product Improvement Strategies ...................................................................... 157 Chapter 18. Organizing and Integrating System Development ............................................ 171 Chapter 19. Contractual Considerations .............................................................................. 185 Chapter 20. Management Considerations and Summary ..................................................... 201 GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................... 209 iii Systems Engineering Fundamentals Introduction PREFACE This book provides a basic, conceptual-level description of engineering management disciplines that relate to the development and life cycle management of a system. For the non-engineer it provides an overview of how a system is developed. For the engineer and project manager it provides a basic framework for planning and assessing system development. Information in the book is from various sources, but a good portion is taken from lecture material devel- oped for the two Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering courses offered by the Defense Acquisition University. The book is divided into four parts: Introduction; Systems Engineering Process; Systems Analysis and Control; and Planning, Organizing, and Managing. The first part introduces the basic concepts that govern the systems engineering process and how those concepts fit the Department of Defense acquisition process. Chapter 1 establishes the basic concept and introduces terms that will be used throughout the book. The second chapter goes through a typical acquisition life cycle showing how systems engineering supports acquisition decision making. The second part introduces the systems engineering problem-solving process, and discusses in basic terms some traditional techniques used in the process. An overview is given, and then the process of requirements analysis, functional analysis and allocation, design synthesis, and verification is explained in some detail. This part ends with a discussion of the documentation developed as the finished output of the systems engineering process. Part three discusses analysis and control tools that provide balance to the process. Key activities (such as risk management, configuration management, and trade studies) that support and run parallel to the system engineering process are identified and explained. Part four discusses issues integral to the conduct of a systems engineering effort, from planning to consideration of broader management issues. In some chapters supplementary sections provide related material that shows common techniques or policy-driven processes. These expand the basic conceptual discussion, but give the student a clearer picture of what systems engineering means in a real acquisition environment. iv Chapter 1 Introduction to Systems Engineering PART 1 INTRODUCTION 1 Systems Engineering Fundamentals Chapter 1 2 Chapter 1 Introduction to Systems Engineering CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT 1.1 PURPOSE 499A, Engineering Management, 1 May 1974. Now cancelled.) The overall organization of this text is described in the Preface. This chapter establishes some of • An interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the basic premises that are expanded throughout the entire technical effort, and evolves into and the book. Basic terms explained in this chapter are verifies an integrated and life cycle balanced the foundation for following definitions. Key sys- set of system people, products, and process solu- tems engineering ideas and viewpoints are pre- tions that satisfy customer needs. (EIA Standard sented, starting with a definition of a system. IS-632, Systems Engineering, December 1994.) • An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach that 1.2 DEFINITIONS derives, evolves, and verifies a life-cycle bal- anced system solution which satisfies customer A System Is … expectations and meets public acceptability. (IEEE P1220, Standard for Application and Simply stated, a system is an integrated composite Management of the Systems Engineering of people, products, and processes that provide a Process, [Final Draft], 26 September 1994.) capability to satisfy a stated need or objective. In summary, systems engineering is an interdisci- Systems Engineering Is… plinary engineering management process that evolves and verifies an integrated, life-cycle bal- Systems engineering consists of two significant anced set of system solutions that satisfy customer disciplines: the technical knowledge domain in needs. which the systems engineer operates, and systems engineering management. This book focuses on Systems Engineering Management Is… the process of systems engineering management. As illustrated by Figure 1-1, systems engineering Three commonly used definitions of systems management is accomplished by integrating three engineering are provided by the best known tech- major activities: nical standards that apply to this subject. They all have a common theme: • Development phasing that controls the design process and provides baselines that coordinate • A logical sequence of activities and decisions design efforts, that transforms an operational need into a de- scription of system performance parameters and • A systems engineering process that provides a preferred system configuration. (MIL-STD- a structure for solving design problems and 3 Systems Engineering Fundamentals Chapter 1 Development Phasing Life Cycle Baselines Planning Systems Engineering Management Systems Life Cycle Engineering Integrated Integration Process Teaming Figure 1-1. Three Activities of Systems Engineering Management tracking requirements flow through the design The systems engineering process is the heart of effort, and systems engineering management. Its purpose is to provide a structured but flexible process that • Life cycle integration that involves customers transforms requirements into specifications, archi- in the design process and ensures that the system tectures, and configuration baselines. The disci- developed is viable throughout its life. pline of this process provides the control and trace- ability to develop solutions that meet customer Each one of these activities is necessary to achieve needs. The systems engineering process may be proper management of a development effort. Phas- repeated one or more times during any phase of ing has two major purposes: it controls the design the development process. effort and is the major connection between the tech- nical management effort and the overall acquisi- Life cycle integration is necessary to ensure that tion effort. It controls the design effort by devel- the design solution is viable throughout the life of oping design baselines that govern each level of the system. It includes the planning associated with development. It interfaces with acquisition man- product and process development, as well as the agement by providing