Systems engineering: challenging complexity
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Contents

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Why is systems engineering important?
    • 1.1 Introduction: what is the problem?
    • 1.2 The Phoenix project
    • 1.3 Example 1 The Workcenter that didn't
    • 1.4 Example 2: The Bridge of Sighs (and Wobbles)
    • 1.5 Increasing complication, complexity and risk: the underlying relationship
    • 1.6 Increasing complication, complexity and risk: mystery and mechanics
    • 1.7 Increasing complication, complexity and risk: a spectrum of systems intractability
    • 1.8 Increasing complication, complexity and risk: are systems becoming more complex?
    • 1.9 Increasing complication, complexity and risk: summary
  • 2 What is engineering?
    • 2.1 The development of engineering
    • 2.2 A modern view
    • 2.3 Summary and conclusions
  • 3 What is systems?
    • 3.1 Introduction
    • 3.2 Systems concepts: system
    • 3.3 System concepts: holism
    • 3.4 Systems concepts: structure
    • 3.5 Systems concepts: dynamic behaviour: input-transformation-output
    • 3.6 Systems concepts: dynamic behaviour: control
    • 3.7 Systems methodologies for managing change
    • 3.8 Systems methodologies for managing change: hard systems approach
      • Stage 1: Problem definition (what is the problem?)
      • Stage 2: Analysis of the existing situation (where are we now?)
      • Stage 3: Identification of objectives and constraints (where would we like to be?)
      • Stage 4: Generation of routes to objectives (how could we get there?)
      • Stage 5: Formulating measures of performance (how will we know when we have arrived?)
      • Stage 6: Developing the options (what would the options be like?)
      • Stage 7: Option testing (how well will each work?)
      • Stage 8: Choice (OK, let's go)
      • Implementation
    • 3.9 Systems methodologies for managing change: soft systems approach
      • Stage 1: The problem situation unstructured
      • Stage 2: The situation analysed
      • Stage 3: Relevant systems and root definitions
      • Stage 4: Conceptual model
      • Stage 5: Comparison of Stages 2 and 4
      • Stage 6: Debate on feasible and desirable changes
      • Stage 7: Implement changes
    • 3.10 Systems techniques
    • 3.11 Summary
  • 4 What is systems engineering? The career of a concept
    • 4.1 Beginnings
    • 4.2 The use of systems analysis in public policy
    • 4.3 The use of systems engineering in organisations
    • 4.4 The use of systems engineering in organisations: different organisational arrangements
    • 4.5 Methodologies associated with information technology
    • 4.6 Systems engineering: the recent development of a discipline
    • 4.7 Summary
  • 5 The orignial course team's approach to systems engineering
    • 5.1 Introduction: the general framework
    • 5.2 The aims and principles of system engineering
    • 5.3 The systems engineering methodology used in the course
  • Conclusion
  • Keep on learning
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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