Lesson The Systems Engineering Process Essay Example
Lesson The Systems Engineering Process Essay Example

Lesson The Systems Engineering Process Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1642 words)
  • Published: December 27, 2017
  • Type: Lesson
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The design and management of a total system, including hardware and software, as well as other system life-cycle elements, is what systems engineering involves. The systems engineering process is a structured, disciplined, and documented technical effort that simultaneously defines and develops systems products and processes. Implementing systems engineering effectively requires multidisciplinary teamwork as part of an overall PIPED effort.

Science and Technology

Science and Technology programs harness technological advancements for utilization by operational forces.

The purpose of showcasing new and emerging technologies is to highlight their potential use in military systems. These technologies are aimed at meeting the specific needs of the military, addressing military challenges, and informing decisions regarding acquisition. Test and Evaluation involves testing a system or its components against set requirements and specifications, with the results being asse

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ssed to gauge design progress, performance, supportability, and more. Developmental Test and Evaluation is an engineering technique employed to minimize risk during the defense acquisition process.

Operational Test and Evaluation is the process of using a system under realistic operational conditions, either through real-life use or simulated scenarios, by typical users. Acquisition Logistics is a technical management discipline that covers the entire life cycle of a system.

Acquisition Logistics aims to achieve the following goals: integrating support factors into the system's design requirements to enable cost-effective support throughout the life cycle of the system.

The initial fielding and operational support elements required for the system are identified, developed, and acquired. The majority of a system's life-cycle costs are primarily due to operational and support expenses after it has been fielded. It is crucial for system developers to assess the possible operational and support cost

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of different designs and consider them in the early design decisions as these expenses are mainly determined during the initial system development phase.

Hardware/Software Engineering involves a systematic approach to developing, operating, and maintaining hardware and software. This field encompasses all activities that support translating user needs into a product. The product includes both hardware and software. Production, Quality, and Manufacturing Management (referred to as Manufacturing and Production in Desktop) aims to ensure the productivity of system design.

Productivity refers to how easily an item or system can be manufactured. By incorporating productivity into the design process, it is possible to decrease both the timeline and technical challenges. In the Technical Management Partnership (PIT) process, the Government and Contractor collaborate to convert operational capability needs into a fully implemented system. The Government's main focus is on managing the entire program to meet user requirements, while the contractor's main goal is to design and develop the system.

Meeting the Government's contractual needs. Comparison of Government and Contractor Activities The Government and Contractor may carry out similar activities. However, each party has a unique role Function Government Role Contractor Role Translate the Needs mentioned in the Actively involved in translating Usually actively participates in abilities documents. ACID/CAD/CPA operational need into a system developing the system performance performance specification. Updates the specifications. Translates the system performance specification to system performance specification into technical design specifications.

This text outlines the various tasks involved in performance specification development. It includes allocating performance requirements to lower level design specifications, defining system-level performance, and assigning performance thresholds and objectives to subsystems. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of monitoring the design to ensure

design quality, managing and integrating technical progress through technical reviews, and utilizing internal periodic program reviews. It also mentions the adherence to management standards.

The text verifies contractor performance by reviewing and approving technical performance through contractor technical deliverables. It also tests the design and system performance through internal testing, operational testing, and participation in government development testing. The integration of Systems Engineering activities must occur throughout all phases of the acquisition life cycle.

The activities need to be customized to meet the requirements of the program.

Identification, documentation, and validation of user needs are essential for all acquisition programs. User needs can vary, such as establishing a new operational capability, improving existing capability, or taking advantage of cost reduction opportunities or performance enhancement possibilities. In cases where immaterial solutions cannot meet the needs, an Initial Capabilities Document (ACID) is developed. During the Materiel Solution Analysis phase, contractors are required to utilize a Systems Engineering Process (SEEP) to further refine the proposed materiel solution.

The SEEP utilizes various inputs during Material Solution Analysis, including the Initial Capabilities Document (ACID), assessments of technology opportunities and status, and outputs from potential solution exploration. The SEEP then translates viable concepts into designs, ensuring functionality aligns with requirements. Critical technologies, technology maturity, and technical risk are assessed through an Analysis of Alternatives (AAA) to determine the optimal system solution.

In the Technology Development Phase, key technologies are matured and selected in the Materiel Solution Analysis. The main goals in this phase are to reduce technology risk and determine the set of technologies to be integrated into a full system through competitive prototyping activities. The objective is to identify an affordable

increment of militarily-useful capability, demonstrate the technology in a relevant environment, and assess manufacturing risks.

The purpose of conducting a PDP and PDP-A is to ensure the efficient development of a system within a tight timeline. Both the PDP and PDP-A are compulsory for all Madams. Entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (MED) phase marks the start of a system acquisition project, requiring mature technology, approved capability needs, and funding. At this point, the program must have an approved Capability Development Document (CAD) outlining its specific needs.

MED is composed of two main initiatives: Integrated System Design (SD) System Capability ; Manufacturing Process Demonstration (SCAMP) Integrated System Design. Integrated System Design pertains to systems that have not yet proven the integration of subsystems at the system level. System Integration also includes finalizing the detailed design and reducing risk at the system level. This activity builds upon the work initiated in Technology Development, but now focuses on system-level engineering development rather than individual technology development.

The engineering focus is on establishing and agreeing upon system-level technical requirements. These requirements ensure that designs based on them will meet the intent of the operational requirements. The requirements are stabilized and documented in an approved system-level requirements specification. Detailed designs for the system are developed based on these needs. Additionally, system capabilities and manufacturing process demonstration are conducted. There is no strict guidance on how the systems engineering process should intersect with the DOD acquisition process.

The SEEP activities completed during the System Capabilities ; Manufacturing Process Demonstration effort typically include: elaboration of preliminary and detailed designs, fabrication of Production Representative Articles, demonstration of the system

in operationally intended environments, and development and demonstration of manufacturing processes. Additionally, successful developmental test and evaluation, operational assessments, ND modeling and simulation (where appropriate) are crucial for providing necessary feedback within the SE process and to support the MS C decision.

The phase for production and deployment is highlighted within the

tags.

The Production and Deployment (P) phase is divided into several activities, including Low-Rate Initial Production (LORI), Full-Rate Production and Deployment, and Low-Rate Initial Production. Low-Rate Initial Production (LORI) is aimed at finalizing the manufacturing capability for the system and serves the following purposes: producing the minimum quantity of articles required for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (TOT) and Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LEFT), enabling a gradual increase in production rate, and establishing an initial production base for the system.

Manufacturing rates are increased towards the intended rates when manufacturing is fully operational. Full-Rate Production commences when formal testing (TOT) is completed, necessary beyond-LORI and Live Fire Test Reports are submitted, and the Milestone Decision Authority decides to proceed with full-rate production. The design is enhanced using SEEP by considering findings from independent operational testing, guidance from the Milestone Decision Authority, and feedback from deployment activities. Any alterations in configuration are integrated into the full-rate production system.

Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOOT) is conducted once the production system is stable. The results of FOOT are utilized to improve the production configuration. Once production stabilizes again, thorough audits are conducted to ensure that the Product Baseline accurately represents the system being produced. The Product Baseline is then placed under formal configuration control. During deployment, the system is delivered to field

units that will be utilizing and employing them in their military operations.

The delivery of training, equipment, and facilities necessary to support the system is heavily reliant on integrated planning. When deploying the system, the function of systems engineering entails merging different functional specialties to ensure system effectiveness. Careful transition planning is crucial in meeting the user's required initial operation capability schedule. As the system is delivered and operational capability is attained, it transitions to the Operations and Support (O&S) phase of its life cycle.

The O&S phase does not require a separate milestone decision for a program to enter. This phase is the longest and most expensive, and it involves various efforts. These efforts include disposing of statements during the statement, focusing on systems engineering activities to maintain the systems' performance capability in relation to the system's threat. If there are changes in the military threat or if a technological opportunity arises, the system may need modifications. However, these modifications must be approved at an appropriate level based on the proposed change, which then leads to the initiation of new systems.

In an evolutionary development environment, the Engineering Processes involve starting the cycle (or parts of it) again. This includes developing and refining additional operational needs based on user experience with the previously delivered system. When new needs arise, a new development cycle commences, involving technology demonstrations, risk reduction, system demonstration, and testing - the same cycle described earlier. The process can be adjusted according to the specific requirements of integrating new technology into the core system already delivered.

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