A simple framework acronym for general systems engineering is described in a SIMILAR
acronym.
This framework provides one of the better guides for assessing project management methods.
It is critical to understand that these processes are NOT temporal, they are parallel
and highly
iterative.
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State the problem
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The problem statement starts with a description of the top-
level functions that the system must perform. The can be
in the form a vision, mission statement, and mission
requirements, a set scenarios for how the system will be
used and how it will interact with other systems or a
description of the deficiency that must be ameliorated.
Most mandatory and preference requirements should be
traceable to this problem statement.
Acceptable systems must satisfy all mandatory
requirements
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Investigate the alternatives
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Alternative solutions are created and are evaluated based
on performance, schedule, and cost figures or merit. No
single solution is likely to be the best across all figures of
merit. Multi- criteria decision- aiding techniques are
available to discover the preferred alternatives.
This analysis is repeated as better data becomes available.
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Model the system
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Models will be developed for most alternate designs of the
product system. The model of the preferred alternative will
be expanded and used to help manage the system
throughout its entire lifecycle.
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Integrate
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Systems, business processes, and people must be
integrated so that they integrate with one another.
Integration means bringing things together so they work as
a whole. Interfaces between subsystems must be
designed to facilitate the movement of physical items,
information and energy. Subsystems should be defined
along natural boundaries.
Subsystems should be designed to minimize the amount
of information, physical items and energy exchanged
between subsystems through their interfaces
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Launch the system
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Launching the system means using the system to
obtained results. This is where the team learns if the
system does what it is intended to do.
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Access performance
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Figures of merit, technical performance measures and
metrics are all used to measure performance. Figures of
merit are used to quantify requirements in he tradeoff
studies. They focus on the product.
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Re-evaluate all the phases
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Re-evaluate is the most important of all the system
engineering processes. Re-evaluation is a continuous
process.
Re-evaluation means observing outputs and using this
information to modify the system, the inputs, the product,
or the process.
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