Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Part of: Synthesis digital library of engineering and computer science.

Series from website.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-124).

Preface -- 1. Definitions and background. Definitions and difficulties -- The systems engineer -- Process -- Director of systems engineering -- References --

2. The systems approach. Additional related factors -- References --

3. Systems thinking. The fifth discipline -- Thinking in systems -- Systems thinking and heuristics -- Systems thinking and special topics -- General systems theory -- References --

4. Key elements of systems engineering. Other approaches -- References --

5. The life cycle dimension. Generic life cycle phases -- A DoD example -- A NASA example -- Systems engineering across the life cycle -- References --

6. System properties, attributes and features (PAFs). References --

7. Measures and parameters. References --

8. Architecting. References --

9. Functional decomposition. A simple computer system -- A C4ISR system -- Earth-observing system (EOSDIS) -- FAA's NextGen system -- References --

10. Requirements engineering. Requirements allocation -- Derived requirements -- Some NASA perspectives -- Top half dozen requirements recommendations -- References --

11. Synthesis. Supporting tables and views -- References --

12. Analysis. Deeper levels of analysis -- Analysis of alternatives (AoA) -- References --

13. Cost-effectiveness. Views -- References --

14. Life cycle costing. Life cycle cost model structure -- Bottoms-up and top down cost estimation notions -- Price -- NASA and cost management -- References --

15. Modeling and simulation. Four illustrative models -- Simulation -- Domains of interest -- Modeling and simulation in the DoD -- References --

16. Other analysis relationships. System errors -- Errors as requirements or specifications -- Reliability -- Availability -- "Subjective" analysis and measurement -- Other topics of interest -- References --

17. The role of technology. Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) -- The Department of Defense (DoD) and technology -- Criticisms and technology -- Technology readiness levels (TRLs) -- The technology readiness assessment (TRA) deskbook -- A closing list -- References --

18. Risk management. Basic risk perspective -- Risk matrix -- NASA and risk management -- Additional risk management perspectives -- References --

19. Testing, verification, and validation. Test and evaluation (T & E) -- Verification and validation (V & V) -- References --

20. Integration. Brief definition of systems integration -- Systems integration core competencies -- The stovepipe issue -- Evolutionary development and integration -- Integration readiness -- Integrability -- The bottom line -- References --

21. Systems engineering management. The SEMP -- The SEP -- References --

22. Project management. Goals, objectives and requirements -- Task statements -- Technical approach -- Organization and staffing -- Schedule -- Budget -- Risk analysis -- Earned value -- The project manager -- References --

23. Software engineering. Software development steps -- The capability maturity model -- COCOMO -- Top ten for software engineering -- References --

24. Systems acquisition. The 5000 series -- Defense acquisition performance assessment (DAPA) report -- Weapon system acquisition reform act of 2009 -- Greater efficiency and productivity -- Evolutionary acquisition -- References --

25. Systems of systems. Some perspectives regarding systems of systems -- Cost estimation -- The ubiquitous Department of Defense (DoD) -- References --

26. Thinking outside the box. Inside the box 1: build systems so as to maximally integrate all stovepipes -- Inside the box 2: it's not possible to make changes so as to achieve more than marginal improvements -- Inside the box 3: requirements should be considered fixed and inviolate -- Inside the box 4: there is no silver bullet that can fix a poorly performing acquisition system -- Nine suggestions for thinking outside the box -- References --

27. Ten failure factors. One, unrealistic schedules -- Two, unrealistic budgets -- Three, too many risks in the performance dimension -- Four, lots of risk analysis, not enough risk mitigation -- Five, lip service to "the learning organization" -- Six, poor requirements engineering -- Seven, failure to buy into evolutionary development -- Eight, insufficient communications and teamwork -- Nine, slippage in the practices of systems engineering -- Ten, we know what to do; why won't we do it -- References --

28. A success audit --

29. Standards. Military standard 499B -- IEEE P1200 -- EIA 632 -- ISO/IEC 15288 -- IEEE/EIA 12207 -- IEEE P1471 -- References --

References -- Author's biography.

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This book provides an overview of systems engineering, its important elements, and aspects of management that will lead in the direction of building systems with a greater likelihood of success.

Also available in print.

Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 20, 2011).