Systems Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE

SECOND EDITION

Alexander Kossiakoff

William N. Sweet

Samuel J. Seymour

Steven M. Biemer

The following characteristics are commonly found in successful systems engineers. 

They 

 1. enjoy learning new things and solving problems, 

 2. like challenges, 

 3. are skeptical of unproven assertions, 

 4. are open - minded to new ideas, 

 5. have a solid background in science and engineering, 

 6. have demonstrated technical achievement in a specialty area, 

 7. are knowledgeable in several engineering areas, 

 8. pick up new ideas and information quickly, and 

 9. have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Industrial engineering is concerned with design, installation and improvement of systems having machines, men, material, energy and information to produce goods and service. Its special focus is on specifying, evaluating and improving results expected from these systems.

Therefore industrial engineering focuses on results expected from engineering systems at the design stage, installation stage and operation stage.

Both industrial engineering and system engineering need knowledge, achievement and expertise in multiple engineering areas.

Ch. 2. SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LANDSCAPE

 The essence of the systems engineering viewpoint is  making the central objective the system as a whole and the success of its mission. This, in turn, means the subordination of individual goals and attributes in favor of those of the overall system. The systems engineer is always the advocate of the total system in any contest with a subordinate objective.

A Balanced System 

 One of the dictionary definitions of the word “ balance ” that is especially appropriate to system design is “ a harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design or a composition. ” An essential function of systems engineering is to bring about a balance among the various components of the system, which, it was noted earlier, are designed by engineering specialists, each with expertise on optimizing the characteristics of a particular component.

 A broader and robust perspective to systems approaches to solve very extensive complex engineering problems by integrating engineering, management, and social science approaches using advanced modeling methodologies is termed “ engineering systems. ” The intent is to tackle some of society ’ s grandest challenges with significant global impact by investigating ways in which engineering systems behave and interact with one another including social, economic, and environmental factors. This approach encompasses engineering, social science, and management processes without the implied rigidity of systems engineering. Hence, applications to critical infrastructure, health care, energy, environment, information security, and other global issues are likely areas of attention. 

This "engineering systems" is appropriate for systems with which industrial engineering is concerned. These systems include customers, suppliers and operators.

Systems Engineering Viewpoint 

 The systems engineering viewpoint is focused on producing a successful system that meets requirements and development objectives, is successful in its operation in the field, and achieves its desired operating life. In order to achieve this definition of success, the systems engineer must balance superior performance with affordability and schedule constraints. In fact, many aspects of systems engineering involve achieving a balance among conflicting objectives. For example, the systems engineering typically must apply new technology to the development of a new system while managing the inherent risks that new technology poses. 

 Throughout the development period, the systems engineer focuses his or her perspective on the total system, making decisions based on the impacts and capabilities of the system as a whole. Often, this is accomplished by bridging multiple disciplines and components to ensure a total solution. Specialized design is one dimensional in that it has great technical depth, but little technical breadth and little management expertise. Planning and control is two dimensional: it has great management expertise, but moderate technical breadth and small technical depth. But systems engineering is three dimensional: it has great technical breadth, as well as moderate technical depth and management expertise.