Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems

Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems

by Avigdor Zonnenshain, Shuki Stauber
Released October 2015
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781119068594

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Book description

Presents the origins and evolution of the systems engineering discipline and helps readers gain a personal familiarity with systems engineering experts: their experience, opinions and attitudes in this field

This book is based on a qualitative study that includes dozens of in-depth interviews with experts in the systems engineering field. This book is broken into three main parts. The first part is a general overview of the systems engineering field. The second part discusses the changes the systems engineering discipline has undergone with the analysis as case studies of two significant Israeli defence systems projects: the IAI Lavi project and the Iron Dome project.

The third part of this book contains interviews with renowned experts in the systems engineering field. This part is divided into five sections: systems engineering as the answer to the challenges of a complex technological world - the aerospace industries; the development of systems engineering in the commercial and industrial worlds, and in complex civil systems; the impact of the accelerated development of the computing world on systems engineering processes; systems engineering and the academic world; and systems engineering in the world of training and consulting.

This book presents the main insights derived from the interviews, and an analysis and discussion of the question of the relevance of systems engineering to the management world. Some highlights of this book are that it

  • Integrates the technological aspects with the behavioural aspects of the field

  • Serves managerial needs of engineering and management in general, so managers with no technical background can derive knowledge from this book

  • Provides approaches for seeing beyond technology-understanding the mission

    • Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems is a great resource on management for managers as well as systems engineers.

    Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Title Page
      1. Copyright
      2. Dedication
    3. Words From Incose President
    4. Words from the Head of the Bernard M. Gordon Center for Systems Engineering, Technion
    5. Words from the President of the Israeli Association for Systems Engineering-Incose_IL
    6. Words from the Writers
    7. Preface
      1. Systems Engineering – A Discipline in the Making
    8. List of Interviewees (Alphabetical Order)
    9. Part I: Systems Engineering – A General Overview
      1. Chapter 1.1: The Origins, History, and Uniqueness of Systems Engineering
        1. 1.1.1 On The Essence of Systems Engineering
        2. 1.1.2 The Different Types of Systems Engineering
      2. Chapter 1.2: A Multidisciplinary, Systemic View
        1. 1.2.1 The Boundaries of a System
        2. 1.2.2 Systems of Systems
        3. 1.2.3 Managing the Human Factor
        4. 1.2.4 Traits Derived From an Interdisciplinary, Systemic View
      3. Chapter 1.3: The Systems Engineer as Manager and Leader
        1. 1.3.1 Systems Engineering and Technological Project Management
      4. Chapter 1.4: The Evolution of a Systems Engineer
        1. 1.4.1 The Main Paths of Development of Systems Engineers
        2. 1.4.2 The Evolution of Software Engineers Into Systems Engineers
        3. 1.4.3 The Training of Systems Engineers
      5. Chapter 1.5: Systems Engineering in Various Organizations
        1. 1.5.1 Who is a Systems Engineer? – A Question of Terminology
      6. Chapter 1.6: The Future of Systems Engineering
    10. Part II: A World of Complex Projects – then and Now
      1. Chapter 2.1: The IAI LAVI Project – The Dream and Downfall
        1. 2.1.1 The Feasibility Study
        2. 2.1.2 The Project
        3. 2.1.3 The End of the Project and Further Insights
      2. Chapter 2.2: The Iron Dome Project – Development Under Fire
        1. 2.2.1 Background and Preparations
        2. 2.2.2 The Management of the Project
    11. Part III: The Interviews
      1. Chapter 3.1: Developments in a Complex, Technological World – The Aviation and Space Industries
        1. 3.1.1 “Structured, Multidisciplinary Methods of Resolving Lateral Problems”
        2. 3.1.2 “Planning Systems That Fit The Needs of Both Clients and Users”
        3. 3.1.3 “Seeing Beyond Technology – Understanding The Mission”
        4. 3.1.4 “Simplification Capabilities in a Complex Environment”
        5. 3.1.5 “Complex Mega-Systems That Cannot Be Supervised”
      2. Chapter 3.2: Developments in Industry and Commerce and in Complex Civilian Systems
        1. 3.2.1 “The Ability to Identify Bottlenecks and Eliminate Them”
        2. 3.2.2 “Well-Organized Work is Always Needed; The Problem is People Don't Always Want to Make The Effort”
        3. 3.2.3 “Management-Oriented Systems Engineers Also See The Business Aspects”
        4. 3.2.4 “Optimization by the Top Ranks”
      3. Chapter 3.3: The Influence of the Accelerated Progress in the Computing World
        1. 3.3.1 “When a Critical Mass of Processes and Methods is Formed, A New Profession is Born”
        2. 3.3.2 “Looking at a Problem From Different Angles”
        3. 3.3.3 “Venturing Beyond The Core-Subjects to Study New Areas”
        4. 3.3.4 “The Abstract Level of Discussion is of Great Value”
      4. Chapter 3.4: Systems Engineering and Academia
        1. 3.4.1 “Applying Holistic Thinking”
        2. 3.4.2 “A Powerful Natural Curiosity and an Ability to Truly Like People”
        3. 3.4.3 “Expanding the Boundaries of the System”
        4. 3.4.4 “A Profession Meant to Serve the Needs of the Industry”
      5. Chapter 3.5: Systems Engineering in the World of Training and Consulting
        1. 3.5.1 “Combining Engineering and Management Skills”
        2. 3.5.2 “Model-Based Systems Engineering”
        3. 3.5.3 “The Main Requirement: Keeping Up With Schedules”
      6. Index
    12. End User License Agreement

    Product information

    • Title: Managing and Engineering Complex Technological Systems
    • Author(s): Avigdor Zonnenshain, Shuki Stauber
    • Release date: October 2015
    • Publisher(s): Wiley
    • ISBN: 9781119068594