This module is an introduction to the technical and organisational aspects of systems engineering, focusing on early lifecycle systems analysis and modelling (i.e. systems concepts, requirements and architectures). It intends to present systems engineering principles which are applicable to a range of critical engineering systems (e.g. control systems, platforms, systems of systems and autonomous and configurable systems). In particular, it focuses on the early consideration of, and tradeoffs between, technical as well as economic attributes such as safety, maintainability, cost and time-to-market in the context of key organisational challenges related to technology readiness and process maturity.
Module learning outcomes
Explain the scope and nature of systems engineering in the context of high safety risk industries
Identify and assess the interaction between systems engineering and economics
Describe the role and importance of organisational aspects of systems engineering in the development life-cycle in the context of high safety risk industries
Describe the principles of, and issues concerning, systems requirements, architectures, modelling, trade-offs, design rationale and product lines as well as emerging concepts in systems engineering related to adaptive systems
Participate in requirements definition, architecture design, trade-off analysis and system modelling
Assessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Open Assessment
N/A
100
Special assessment rules
None
Reassessment
Task
Length
% of module mark
Essay/coursework Open Assessment
N/A
100
Module feedback
Individual written feedback is provided via the online feedback system.
Indicative reading
*** G Pahl, W Beitz, K Wallace, L Blessing, F Bauert, Engineering Design a Systematic Approach, Springer Verlag, 1995
*** Sanford Friedenthal, A Practical Guide to SysML: The Systems Modeling Language, Morgan Kaufmann, 2011
*** http://www.incose.org, Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge, INCOSE publications
*** L Cohen, Quality Functional Deployment, Addison Wesley, 1995
*** M A Jackson, Problem Frames, Addison Wesley, 2001