College of Science,

Technology, Engineering,
& Mathematics
 Introduction to Systems
Engineering
Dr. Muhammad Wardeh

Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Youngstown State University

2
 Overview
●
What is Systems Engineering?

●
Systems Engineering Viewpoint

●
Examples of Systems Requiring Systems
Engineering

●
The Significance of Systems Engineering

3
WHAT IS SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING?

4
 What is a “System”?
●
“a set of interrelated components working
together toward some common objective
●
A system with following characteristics:
➔
Complex:
- sufficiently diverse
- Its elements have intricate relationships with
one another
➔
Engineered: developed and designed by human

5
 Complex & Engineered
Not Complex Complex

ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

Not Engineered Metal Working World Magazine

Engineered

Youmatter

Unknown Source
6
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
VIEWPOINT

7
 Systems Engineering (SE) vs.
Traditional Engineering (TE)
The function of SE is to guide the engineering and
development of complex systems
●
SE: system as a whole, its total operation, and cost
System interactions with other systems & the
environment
●
SE is constrained by external factors that limit the
design of a system:
→customer needs
→Interfacing systems
→operational environment
→Skills & Technical knowledge of the SE team
8
 Systems Engineering (SE) vs.
Traditional Engineering (TE)
●
TE→ Mech, Industrial, Electrical, etc.
→ limited, one-to-two disciplines
●
SE→ Takes the lead, & participate in the design
process
→bridges TE engineering disciplines
→begins with new system concept
→ is evolved to meet a recognized need or
exploit a technological opportunity
9
 Perspectives of Systems Engineering
➔
general systems thinking approach to problems
➔
developmental process approach for systems
engineering
➔
broad perspective of engineering systems
Traditional Engineering Technical Management

SE Domain
Social Political/legal Human

10
 Design and Analysis of Engineering
Systems

Project management framework to

guide and coordinate the
work of the project team.
System development process for
carrying out all of the activities
of each core process
11
 Example: A Modern Automobile
automated navigation cruise control

computer‐
controlled mechanisms

Anti‐lock brakes sophisticated sensors

passenger protection autonomous driving and parking

operate efficiently, maintaining very close control of

12
engine emissions
 Perspectives of Systems Engineering
➔
general systems thinking approach to problems
➔
developmental process approach for systems
engineering
➔
broad perspective of engineering systems
Traditional Engineering Technical Management

SE Domain
Social Political/legal Human

13
 Key Factors to Creating SE

• Rapidly Advancing Technology

• Competition
• Specialization

14
 Advanced Technologies:
●
Risks
• Traditionally, engineering applies known
principals to practical ends
• However, innovation involves new
technologies (materials, devices,
processes) whose characteristics are not
fully measured or understood:
• Risk: Unexpected properties and effects
• Impacts: System performance, costly
changes, program delays
15
 Advanced Technologies:
●
Risks
Alternatively, failure to apply the latest
technology to system development also
carries risks:
• Risk: Build an inferior system
• Impact: Premature obsolescence
• Risk: Competitor succeeds in
introducing the new technology
• Impact: Your company loses market
share or worse
16
 Risk Management
Dealing with calculated risks through a process of
analysis, development, test, and engineering
oversight.
• Risk management requires a broad knowledge of
the total system and its critical elements
• Find the best balance of risks:
– System elements that best take advantage of the new
technology
– System elements that should be based on proven
components
– How risks incurred should be reduced by development and
testing
17
 Competition
1) Competition in the Commercial Sector:
– Competitive advantage over competitors in
the same market
– Disruption:
a) New technologies resulting in new business Models
b) Entirely new markets or industries
2) Competition in the Defense Sector:
– Improved capabilities by adversaries
– Competitive contracting

18
 Competition
3)Competition for Funding:
– Competing for external funding: government,
investors
– Competing for internal funding: multiple projects
and priorities
3)Competition Between System Characteristics
– Cost vs schedule vs performance
– Within a class of characteristics:
Ex: performance – speed versus operating range

19
WHAT SPECIALIZATION IS
REQUIRED IN A
COMPETITIVE MARKET?

20
 Specialization

Engineering is divided into specialties:

● mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil,

aerospace, etc.
● Each specialties have subspecialties

1) Methods, 2) Tools, and 3) Organizations

● Systems have specialized subsystems
often addressed by these engineering
specialties

21
 Interfaces

Engineering systems need to be

divided into blocks
1) minimize interference, 2) improve functionality
● Challenge
1) Integration with other subsystems
2) Interference with the environment
3) Functional interaction and physical fit
● SE Must
1) Analyze
2) Define
3) Validate

22
EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMS
REQUIRING SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING

23
Engineered Complex System

Material and
Energy Systems 24
Engineered Complex System

25
 A modern Automobile
● Complex engineered system:
● Large number of components
● Different disciplines
● Requirements:
● Cost, safety, performance, fuel efficiency, emissions,
reliability, comfort,
● Technologies:
● Advanced materials
● Computer and software: cruise control, navigation, &
entertainment
● The Operator and passengers
26
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

27
 Successful System
Engineer

→Multidisciplinary knowledge
→Mathematical and communication
→Skeptical positive thinking

28
29