A Complete Approach to Systems Engineering Becky Reed, ESEP Bill LaMarsh, Ph.D. Reed Integration, Inc. SEDC Conference A

1. A Complete Approach to Systems Engineering Becky Reed, ESEP Bill LaMarsh, Ph.D. Reed Integration, Inc. SEDC Conference April 2014

2. Abstract In 2009, Money Magazine® listed Systems Engineer (SE) as the #1 job in America. SE was not in the top 10 Best Jobs for the next 3 years on the same list. Why is this? Two key areas have contributed to the SE competency being removed from this list. First, SE has not been defined and promoted as a complete, holistic view of a system. This system of interest does not have to be a multi-year complex solution. It can be something simple where functional requirements and an architectural approach is needed. Too often, SEs have become associated with Information Technology (IT) solutions exclusively – the assumption is this arena is the only domain where “architectural” solutions are needed. Page 2

3. About Becky • Reed Integration, Inc. • Coastal Virginia & DC Region • President and CEO • Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), INCOSE - 2010 • Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), INCOSE - 2004 • 8(a), SDB, WOSB, EDWOSB • Technical and Management Services: SE, PM, Acquisition SE, Process Improvement • Reed Learning Institute: PMP®/CSEP Prep, Professional Certificate Programs, Custom Training Programs • Previous Life • MORGAN Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL and Hampton Roads, VA Program Development Manager, Science & Engineering Programs Systems Eng & Integration WBS Manager, ISS microgravity research project BWX Technologies, Inc., Lynchburg, VA & Livermore, CA Systems Engineering Manager, Separator Engineering Group, LLNL Lead Integration Engineer, medical isotope target manufacturing project Systems Engineer, Accelerator and Magnet Systems Division Boeing consultant/Computer Sciences Corporation, Huntsville, AL Information Systems Engineer for MSFC Propulsion Lab; PrISMS contract • Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Huntsville, AL Lead Systems Engineer, Space Station Freedom Program

4. About Bill • Reed Integration, Inc. • Director of the Reed Learning Institute: • Project/Program Management • Fundamentals, Advanced Topics, PMP® Prep • Systems Engineering • Fundamentals, Life Cycle Processes, CSEP Prep • Leadership • Teambuilding, Technical Management • Security • Cyber Systems, Security Requirements • Acquisition • PWS/SOW/SOO Development, Acquisition Engineering • Previous Life • IT Contractor at NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Roads, VA • Project Manager supporting Information Technology (IT) solutions. Areas of support • include web design, Systems Administration, Financial Systems, IT Security, and Architecture • Design. • Symantec Corporate Hampton Roads, Va. • Lead Architect on PCAnywhere and other products.

5. What we are seeing • Reed Integration has performed Systems Engineering process assessments for Federal and Commercial organizations. • The assessments use the INCOSE Handbook as the best practice benchmark. • Participation in many different Systems Engineering Groups. • Assessments and relationships are demonstrating a few consistent gap areas. Let’s get back to the basics!

6. System Life Cycle Processes Overview per ISO/IEC 15288 Organizational Project-Enabling Processes Project Processes Decision Management Project Assessment & Control Project Planning Project Portfolio Management Configuration Management Information Management Risk Management Measurement Infrastructure Management Process Guidelines Life Cycle Model Management Technical Processes Human Resource Management Requirements Analysis Architectural Design Stakeholders Requirements Definition Quality Management Integration Implementation Agreement Processes Verification Transition Validation Acquisition Operation Maintenance Supply Disposal INCOSE SE Handbook v3.2.2 Chapter 1.3

7. What is a System?? Per the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Handbook: An integrated set of elements that accomplish a defined objective. These elements include products (hardware, software, firmware), processes, people, information, techniques, facilities, services, and other support elements. From Webster’s New Dictionary of the English Language: A group of units so combined as to form a whole and to operate in unison. *Photo courtesy of NG Mission Systems

8. What is Systems Engineering? • An integrated approach to engineering and managing a system • Takes all aspects of a system (sometimes a project) into consideration to ensure an integrated, quality product! • Some aspects of a managing a system: • Operational Scenarios / Environments • Requirements / User Needs • Architecture • Interfacing systems • Safety Issues

9. Define and understand the problem before you solve it!!! What is Systems Engineering?

10. SE Role/Function Variations • Image of being a documentation/process career path. • Often noted as an “IT Role”, vs. traditional engineering support. • Difficult to quantify WHY SE processes are so important: • Cost/Risk avoidance. • Perceived as expensive. • Standard processes get in the way. • Viewpoint of “someone else’s responsibility”.

11. Consistent Gap Identified:Functional Analysis Rarely Used • Most customers do not utilize Functional Analysis in technical processes. • Incorrect Assumptions: • Team already *knows* what the requirements are. • Functional Analysis takes too long. • True engineering uses hard requirements, not functional use case scenarios. • Generally excluded from traditional engineering discipline courses.

12. Tailoring Process • Tailoring approach varies. • Many Assumptions: • Tailoring is good for large projects but not for small projects. • Tailoring implies you know all the processes. • Lack of understanding allows one to tailor out anything that is unknown. • If there are no standard processes/ templates, how do we tailor? • Difficult to determine what to tailor, so reuse previous processes and move on!

13. Historical Data • Most companies/projects generate Lessons Learned. • Few people ever use this information: • Our project is different. • That information is too old. • They tailored out what I need. • I cannot find the data I am looking for. • Leads to … lots of rework/relearning!

14. Reliance on Senior Expertise • Projects rely heavily on SMEs. • Research has shown: • SMEs are usually expensive. • Became experts based upon their specific application of knowledge (can be industry specific). • Usually added when a project is in trouble.

15. Assessment Impressions • What is Systems Engineering? • Project Managers of Technical Project. • Historically they are Chief Engineers/Lead Engineers. • Engineers who are multidisciplinary. • Also noticed: • Limited training and/or career track for Systems Engineers. • Excellent communication skills required. • Inconsistency across industry/government with roles.

16. Where can SE Processes and Knowledge Be Applied? • Everywhere! • Systems Thinking/the SE framework applies to different organizations. • Example: presented a this approach to an IT Security problem at a recent INCOSE conference – overwhelming agreement from the audience. • SE is not just for large and complex problems!

17. Summary • SE is a unique field. • Assessment allows an organization to benchmark their SE solutions. • Education/training is needed on applications and value! • Systems Engineering allows for creative and innovative solutions. • Need to start back at the basics and defining the system of interest, stakeholders, functions!

18. Commercial: Reed Integration, Inc. Services • Acquisition Systems Engineering • Systems Engineering Office Setup / Support • Program / Project Management Office Setup / Support • Process Maturity Assessments • Risk Processes Development and Implementation Certifications • 8(a) through 2016 • WOSB/EDWOSB • Small Disadvantaged Business • SWAM (Virginia) • PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) Private On-Site Training • Customized course content • Delivered anywhere in US Staff Augmentation / Mentoring • PMI Certified Project Managers • INCOSE Certified Systems Engineers • Risk Managers • Analysts Academic Partner Training • Old Dominion University • Florida Institute of Technology • Virginia Community College System

19. Thanks for attending! Keep in touch: Becky Reed, ESEP President/CEO rreed@reedintegration.com Office: 757-638-3238 Cell: 757-338-3238 Dr. Bill LaMarsh, PMP, CISSP Director, Reed Learning Institute blamarsh@reedintegration.com Office: 757-541-8033 Cell: 757-810-5971 www.reedintegration.com Thank You!!