Systems Engineering In Aerospace

Theodora Saunders

February 20 2009

AUTOMATION IN MANUFACTURING Leading-Edge Technologies and Application

Fairfield University

Systems Engineering In Aerospace

• Topics– Engineering– Systems Engineering– Work Motivation – Challenges

Engineering

“…the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgement to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.”

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

Problem

Technology

Solution

In Celebration Of Engineering Week

We design solutions to problems

However

We Design Solutions With Constraints

• Engineering solutions must satisfy a set of constraints– Size– Weight– Safety– Reliability– Maintainability– Manufacturability– Cost– Schedule

We narrow all options to a Solution; “Convergent Thinking”

Systems Engineering

Focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle,

documenting requirements, then proceeding with design

synthesis and system validation while considering the complete

problem

Integrates all the disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort forming a structured development process that proceeds from concept to production to operation.

Considers both the business and the technical needs of all customers with the goal of providing a quality product that meets the user needs

Systems Engineering

Considers both the business and the technical needs of all customers with the goal of providing a quality product that meets the user needs

Integrates all the disciplines and specialty groups into a team effort forming

a structured development process that proceeds

from concept to production to operation

Systems Engineering

Focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle,

documenting requirements, then proceeding with design

synthesis and system validation while considering the complete

problem

Considers A Full Spectrum Of Solutions; “Divergent Thinking”

Systems Engineering In Aerospace

System Engineering Standards and the “V” Model

EIA/IS-632 Systems Engineering Standard

Systems Engineering In Aerospace“System Breakdown Structure”

Systems Engineering In AerospaceProcess Across the System Life Cycle

Project Phases Concept Definition

System Development

Production Support

Process

Project Planning ● ● ● ●Risk Management ● ● ● ●

Project Management ● ● ● ●Supply Chain Management ● ● ● ●Requirements Development ● ● ○ ○Requirements Management ● ● ● ●

Design ○ ● ● ○Product Integration ○ ● ○ ○

Verification/Validation ○ ● ○ ○Quantitative Process Management ● ● ● ●

Configuration Management ● ● ● ●Quality Assurance ● ● ● ●

Decision Analysis and Resolution ● ● ● ●

● = Major Emphasis○ = Reduced Emphasis

Process Breadth

Application Through the Project's Defined Process

Proc

ess D

epth

Systems Engineering In Aerospace Current DoD Product Life Cycle

Compressed Product Life Cycles Impact Process, Product, People

Systems Engineering In Aerospace Requirements Matter

Systems Engineering In AerospaceDecomposition and Process Allocation

Systems Engineering In AerospaceTechnical Effort Content

• It is not only about the process• It is not only about the tools

– It is the application of the process

»It is the creation of products

–It is the people who create»It is the art of creating

Systems Engineering In Aerospace

Systems Engineering In Aerospace“Unique Application Content”

Challenges

Engineering ChallengesIn US Aerospace

• Emerging anxiety with respect to the supply of qualified scientific and engineering workforce within the aerospace industry and in particular within the defense sector

• Anticipated engineering labor shortage has far more implications and goes beyond the financial viability concerns in the defense sector

• The United States of America economic stability and competitiveness, as well as the national security depend on the availability of capable engineering workforce

Aerospace Industry Association newsletter headline “Aerospace Industry Faces Coming Worker Shortage” (posted on 4 March 2008)

Evolving Nature of Systems Engineering

• Systems requirements are increasingly based on assessment of gaps in user capabilities and in priority areas

• Increasing focus on integration across systems to enable capabilities

• Increased emphasis on networking• Effective end-to-end performance of system of

systems (SoS) to meet user needs

The role of systems engineering (SE) is expanding to the engineering of SoS that provide user capabilities

Systems Engineering In Aerospace Increased SoS Focus

SoS Types SoS Key Characteristics Component Systems Examples

Virtual Global

Information Grid (GIG)

CollaborativeVolunteer Interaction among

component systems to satisfy agreed-upon central purpose

Collectively decide on standards and how to provide or deny

services; no power to enforce standards

Internet; other communities of

interest

AcknowledgedRecognized objectives with a

designated manager and resources to meet the SoS

Retain their independent objectives; changes in the

systems are based on collaboration among SoS and the

system

Future Combat Systems (FCS)

Directed

Integrated system of systems is centrally managed to meet specific

objectives during a long term operation

Retain an ability to operate independently;

however their normal operational mode is subordinate to the

centally managed objectives

Aircraft Avionics Federated

Architecture with Mission

Computer

Lack of central management authority and centrally agreed-upon purpose of the system os systems

Opportunities

The value added by the system as a whole, beyond that contributed independently by the parts, is

primarily created by the relationship among the parts; that is, how they are interconnected

(Rechtin, 2000)

Systems Engineering Motivational Theories

Analysis

Systems Engineering Competency Levels

Suggested Systems Engineering Competency Model And Corresponding

Recent data analyses indicate that higher systems engineering capability results in more successful projects, thus leading to higher effectiveness of systems engineering

(Carnegie Mellon and National Defense Industry Association report, 2007)

The Motivational Theorists

Integrated Motivation Framework For Systems Engineers

Enterprise (Products, Process, People) Management

Enterprise (Products, Process, People) Multi-Framework Assessment

Structure Roles

& Responsibilities

Vision &

Goals

Knowledge &

Learning

Business Process TSE Process ESE Process

System RequirementsSystem Planning

System Management &

Control

Acquisition & Supply

System DesignProduct Integration

System Technical Evaluation

Capability Needs/GapsCapability Planning

Strategic Technical Plan

Enterprise Architecture

Technology Planning

Enterprise Technical Evaluation

ESE Requires Creative Thinking

Addressing The Human Side of

Systems Engineering

We must shift our thinking by becoming more interested in the creative process, the creative attitude, the creative person, rather than the

creative product alone

(Maslow, 1971)

Closing Remarks

• Systems engineering is a proven process that enables the creation of products, while human motivation provides the fuel for technological innovation

• The challenging question then is:

– Weather the systems engineering practitioners, industry leaders, and academia, are ready to actively participate in an open dialogue based on mutual respect, to resolve the growing disparity between business and humanity