Systems

Engineering
Ma. Roniel-Leinor N. Velasco, ECE,MSIEM

July 13, 2019

What is a SYSTEM:
• Generated from the Greek word systēma
An “organized whole”
• A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a
unified whole
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• Any set of interrelated components working together with the common
objective of fulfilling some designated need
• An interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of
successful systems
- International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
What is a SYSTEM:
• An interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the entire technical
effort to evolve and verify an integrated and life cycle balanced set of
people, products, and process solutions that satisfy customer
(stakeholder) needs
- MIL-STD-499
SYSTEM of a SYSTEM:
• A group of dissimilar systems that interoperate to achieve a mission
purpose that none of them can perform alone.

• May possess unplanned, emergent behavior that is not visible by the

architecture or design teams.
Characteristics of a SYSTEM:
• Complex combination of resources
• Contained within some form of hierarchy
• May be broken down into subsystems and related components
• Allows for simpler approach and analysis of the system and its
functional requirements
• Must have a purpose
• Functional
• Able to respond to identified need
• Able to achieve its objective
• Cost-effective
• Must respond to an identified functional need
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING:
• Is a problem solving - solution development discipline that requires a
fundamental understanding in how to think about and analyze
systems.”

• Is an interdisciplinary engineering management process that evolves and

verifies an integrated, life-cycle balanced set of system solutions that
satisfy customer needs.”

• An interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of

success systems.
The Need for SE:

• System engineering addresses various needs to be more effective and

efficient in:
• Development and acquisition of new systems
• Operation and support of systems already in use
FAILED Systems Engineering:

• Mars Climate Orbiter

• Lost in September 1999
ORIGIN of SE:
• Foundation in the Natural and Physical Sciences
• Driven by:
• Complex Systems
• Military, Space, Aerospace
• Longer Life Cycles
• Systems Failures
Sample of SE:
• Transportation System
• Physical Features
• Main lanes, ramps, connectors,
and carpool lanes
• Operational controls
• Speed limits, regulatory
restrictions, and management
controls
• All components must work
together to achieve the common
objective
Current Environment:
• Requirements are constantly changing
• Greater emphasis on total systems
• Structures become more complex
• Life cycles of systems are extended; life cycles for technologies are
shorter
• Utilize commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment
• Increasing globalization
• Greater international competition
• Increase in outsourcing
• Decrease of available manufacturers
• Higher overall life cycle costs
Multiple Discipline:
• Responsible for integration of multiple components into one system.
• Must have knowledge in:
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Computer Science
• Civil
• Chemical Engineering
• Electronics
• Cross-functional, multi-discipline engineers.
Elements of the SYSTEM:
• Primary Components
Physical objects, concepts, processes, feelings, and beliefs

• System Boundary
Encompasses components that can be directly influenced or controlled

• Environment
Factors that have influence on the effectiveness of a system, but cannot
be controlled
Sample of SE:
• Transportation System
Types of System:
• Natural Systems
Came into being through natural processes
Examples: River System and Energy System

• Man-Made Systems
Developed by human being

• Physical and Conceptual Systems

• Static and Dynamic Systems

• Closed and Open-Loop Systems

Cost of New System:
Cost
100%

80%
Cost Cost
60% Committed Incurred

40%

20%

0%
Conceptual Detailed Construction Use, Time
& Preliminary Design & or Refinement
Design Integration Production & Disposal
When Things Go Wrong::
• Easy to say “design was bad”

• What is the “right” way to do it?

Most systems have to be modified in
order to ensure better performance

• Systems engineering is about learning

from experience
Three Laws of SE:
• Everything interacts with everything else
 Anything done to the system creates impacts that ripple throughout
the system

• Everything goes somewhere

 When working with a system, one deals with multiple interfaces
 Account for interface and follow where it goes

• There is no such thing as a free lunch

 Everything comes at a price
Mental Model of SE:
Task of SE:
SE Process:
Expertise of SE:
THANK
YOU