CPDA Module D6 : Foundations of Systems Engineering

This paper by one of the key thinkers in Systems Engineering was acclaimed at last year's INCOSE conference.
Martin, James, The Seven Samurai of Systems Engineering: Dealing with the complexity of 7 interrelated Systems Proc INCOSE 2004
Paper as PDF Powerpoint Presentation

Preparatory work

Read the paper with particular attention to the core framework proposed, rather than some of the side isssues (about meta-modelling for example)
Apply the framework to a project which you are involved or interested in
Identify the areas where you experienced problems in applying the framework
Consider what implicit definition of 'system' is being used on this paper
Is there any significance in Martin's identification of exactly Seven systems?

2. Systems thinking and its application to the Defence sector

Cook, Lawson and Allison, Towards a Unified Systems Methodology for Australian Defence Systems-of-Systems Proc INCOSE Jun 1999
Paper as PDF.

Preparatory Work

Read this paper for an introduction to:

key systems concepts
the idea of system complexity as a continuum
the notion of a 'system of systems'
Total Systems Intervention as a meta-methodology

Note the application of the analysis to Defence and consider a possible application to Aerospace.

3. Learning from Failure

A short paper on Aerospace Mishaps with links and suggested preparatory exercises.

Preparatory Work

Consider the questions in the paper.

4. Requirements Engineering

A thought-provoking article on requirements

Carney, D Requirements and COTS-Based Systems: A Thorny Question Indeed news@SEI, Carnegie-Mellon Software Engineering Institute v2:2 June 1999
Online Article

Preparatory work

What does Carney mean by requirement?
How are requirements for software differnt from requirements for other kinds of engineering artifact?
Is the term used in the same way in your company?