Systems design and engineering : facilitating multidisciplinary development projects

Systems Engineering is gaining importance in the high-tech industry with systems like digital single-lens reflex cameras, medical imaging scanners, and industrial production systems. Such systems require new methods that can handle uncertainty in the early phases of development, that systems engineering can provide. This book offers a toolbox approach by presenting the tools and illustrating their application with examples. This results in an emphasis on the design of systems, more than on analysis and classical systems engineering. The book is useful for those who need an introduction to system design and engineering, and those who work with system engineers, designers and architects. As its name implies, the aim of this text is to help systems engineers develop the skills and thought processes needed to successfully develop and implement engineered systems. As its name implies, the aim of Systems Design and Engineering: Facilitating Multidisciplinary Development Projects is to help systems engineers develop the skills and thought processes needed to successfully develop and implement engineered systems. Such expertise typically does not come through study but from action, hard work, and cooperation. To that end, the authors have chosen a "hands-on" approach for presenting material rather than concentrating on theory, as so often is the case in a classroom setting. This attractive and accessible text is a mix of theory and practical approach, illustrated with examples that have enough richness and variability to hold your attention. Models are presented for controlling the design, change, and engineering processes. Various aspects of systems engineering and methods providing the big picture at system level are discussed. In some ways, you can think of the book as a compact "starter's kit" for systems engineers. Although the authors are recognized experts in academic settings, they attribute much of their success in systems engineering to their own hands-on experiences and want to show you how to achieve that same level of expertise. Simply reading this book or any other book will not suffice for the learning process to become a systems engineer - no book will do that. However, by following the principles laid out in this book, you can develop the necessary skills and expertise to help you start an interesting, challenging, and rewarding career as a systems engineer Content: IntroductionDevelopment of Modern SystemsSystems Engineering: Approach in This BookFacilitating Multidisciplinary ProjectsDesigning Solar Race CarNotes on How to Use This BookSystems Engineering ProcessIntroductionEssence of Systems Engineering ProcessPractical Implementation of Systems EngineeringShort History of Systems EngineeringSystems Thinking TracksIntroductionDynamic ThinkingFeedback ThinkingSpecific-Generic ThinkingOperational ThinkingScales ThinkingScientific ThinkingDecomposition-Composition ThinkingHierarchical ThinkingOrganizational ThinkingLife-Cycle ThinkingSafety ThinkingRisk ThinkingSummarySystem Design ToolsIntroductionNine-Windows DiagramContext DiagramScenariosFunctional Modeling and AnalysisN2-DiagramArchitecturesSystem BudgetsFunKey ArchitectingA3 Architecture OverviewsFailure Mode and Effect AnalysisRisk ManagementDocumentation and ReviewingModeling and SimulationQuestion GeneratorSystems Engineer at WorkCommunication in Systems EngineeringSystems Engineer and Project ManagerBibliographyAppendix A: TRIZAppendix B: Types of Failure Modes and Effect AnalysisAppendix C: Document TemplateIndex