AdvancedTopic 74 of 102Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems
Systems engineering
Manage complexity through requirements, architecture and verification.
In depth
SE manages complexity across the lifecycle: stakeholder needs, requirements, functional and physical architecture, interface control, integration, verification, validation, risk management and configuration control. Processes in ISO 15288 and INCOSE handbook. Emphasises the whole system and emergent behaviour.
Key points
- Decomposition and integration
- Interfaces
- Trade-offs
ExampleNASA uses SE to coordinate thousands of engineers on a spacecraft.
Systems engineering manages complex projects through requirements, architecture and verification, so large systems work as intended.
What is Systems engineering?
Manage complexity through requirements, architecture and verification.
Why is it important to understand systems engineering?
Systems engineering manages complex projects through requirements, architecture and verification, so large systems work as intended.
What are the main steps of systems engineering?
Stakeholder needs, requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification and validation, and operation.
What is the difference between verification and validation?
Verification checks that the system meets its requirements, while validation checks that it meets the real needs of the users.
How is Systems engineering used in practice?
Typical applications include defining the requirements for a new satellite before any hardware is built, splitting a vehicle into subsystems with clear interfaces and verifying that a complete railway signalling system meets its safety requirements.
What should I learn before Systems engineering?
Study "Mechatronics" first (topic 73 of 102 in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Systems engineering?
Decomposition and integration. Interfaces. Trade-offs.
Can you give an example of Systems engineering?
NASA uses SE to coordinate thousands of engineers on a spacecraft.
What comes after Systems engineering?
The next topic is "V-model and lifecycle", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Systems engineering?
It is classed as Advanced in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems (topic 74 of 102). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems.