摘要:

A definition of ‘systems engineering’ is proposed, to stimulate further discussion directed towards a concensus view. It is a hybrid methodology comprising three modes: policy analysis, design, and management. Thus it is a matrix of methodologies drawing on the procedures provided by people working in a wide range of functions, which are integrated to constitute a total system. Systems engineering is different from classical engineering. It is the product and the price of that technological progress that leads to ever more complex man-made systems. It breaks through the ‘complexity threshold’ to ensure that major enterprises are properly conceived and successfully brought into being.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0047

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The evolution towards automation in manufacturing within IBM is described, taking the plant in Greenock, Scotland, as an example. A strategy was developed, looking a decade or more ahead to the point where the plant would be a high-volume low-cost facility, with full integrated automation as the goal. This may never be completely achieved, but each process is automated when it can be justified financially. Currently, a series of islands of automation exist within the total mosaic of the strategy. Increased productivity permits further phases of capital investment and, in addition, automation ensures consistent high quality.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0048

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Systems can be seen simply as collections of resources directed towards defined functions. A ship is a self-contained system that can draw on few additional external sources when at sea. The analysis of the system policy yields very different results according to the purpose of the ship, whether it is for trade or for war. The former generates an inflow of earnings that the latter does not. The maritime architect has to address a number of boundaries, including time, geographic, social, ethnic, physical, organisational, industrial, economic and political. There is also the shore-based investment in compatible cargo transport and handling systems. A process model of ship design becomes a spiral configuration of a decision tree.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0049

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Major capital projects in the petroleum industry are very costly, complex and must be planned for their whole lifetime of, say, 20 years. Projects progress through a series of distinct phases, each of which can be a breakpoint, before handing over to an operating company. Project management is the bringing together of the skills of different disciplines into the project team, and providing control interfacing with the subsystems that may each be major construction contracts. There is a shortage of experienced senior project managers, and a systems engineering approach provides a more rapid appreciation than can be gained purely through practical participation in a variety of projects over many years.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0050

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The operating objectives for the control of nuclear power plant embrace many complex disciplines, not only in the system of the plant itself, but also in the range of operating conditions, and the need for minimum operating coat. The history of the plant also has to be related to plant life, and the economic benefit of extending it. Dynamic multivariable control system design uses topological techniques, and in the case of AGR boilers the plant is manoeuvred through a ‘constraint corridor’. The interaction of margins on various plant components is a complex statistical problem, and capital and revenue expenditure decisions have to balance these margins against further expenditure on instrumentation, corrosion investigation and modelling analysis. An integrated resolution of these problems then has to cut across the management structure of many disciplines: systems engineering can provide this co-ordinating role.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0051

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

The paper introduces systems methodologies to illustrate the span of systems engineering activities and the system management structure appropriate to creating a complex and enduring system. Information/decision/action (IDA) systems provide a vehicle to demonstrate a variety of methodologies in operation. This class of system includes individual humans, companies, governments, computer-based data systems and, paradoxically, the system design/management team intent on creating the respective systems themselves. Systems are viewed as having seven ages: conception, design, development, implementation, transition utility and senility (which is followed by replacement). System creation invokes five subsystems: the operational facility, two development subsystems concerned with test-and-integration and incompany support, and two deliverable inservice subsystems for user/operator training and through life maintenance. System creation team structure is shown to comprise operations analysis, requirements analysis, system design, equipment engineering, software engineering, test and integration, and installation and commissioning; the systems approach emphasises the first three of these in particular, to reduce the generation ofab, initiodesign errors. Functional decomposition and design option tradeoffs are demonstrated by example, and the establishment of end-to-end system dynamics is introduced using the ISO open system interconnection philosophy. System management organisations are outlines, and the allocation of resources by time within the project team structure it explored pictorially. Transition into operational use is highlighted as an area of special concern and, finally, the key issues of the systems management approach are identified.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0052

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Sofware development benefits from an engineering approarh, because it has the same needs for keeping track of enhancements, modifications and standards. The progressive upgrading of software involves three factors: configuration control, host/satellite development, and development standards and methodologies. Configuration control is applied to developments that are useful additions to the kernel software, and permits variant projects to proceed in parallel with independence of bug fixing. Features of parallel development projects can also be merged into a single future system, which may yield a net saving of 50% in development activity. Formal review is a key control over quality in the enhancement of packages, and involves the whole project team. The engineering approach has been of benefit in relation to development costs, and also in the degree of customer support that can now be given.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0053

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

For both defensive and aggressive reasons, knowledge of technological developments is essential to the long-term competitive success and survival of a firm. Such knowledge is necessary both at strategic and operational levels within the firm. It is insufficient, particularly at the strategic level, for a firm to limit itself to knowledge of the technologies with which it is experienced and the cultures with which it is familiar. Technological threats increasingly come from rival technologies and countries wish which we share neither language nor tradition. The paper, based on research at the Technical Change Centre, suggests that there is still a great deal that British firms can do at all levels to improve their ability to monitor technical change.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0056

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Telecommunication equipment manufacturers will be forced to expand their markets beyond national boundaries because of deregulation, to compete internationally, and to participate fully in the expansion of data, mobile and other services. Deregulation is providing greater commercial freedom in the EEC, but the investment community has the problem of appreciating the rapid pace of technology, and the mounting development costs of systems which can overshadow actual manufacturing costs. On world scale, Europe is in danger of losing its position as a nett exporter, and it must adopt common standards and bases of co-operation. Progress in information technology offers many opportunities for investment in innovative services and products. The UK is giving a lead in procurement from the European Common Market, but this market is not yet of the size available to the USA and Japan. The EEC must take the initiative to secure its share in the growth market presented by the newly developing countries in the Pacific basin.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0057

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET

摘要:

Report of a discussion meeting supported by the IEE, BSI, NSI and the Electronic Industries Component Policy Council. The UK quality system BS9000 takes into account the needs of three parties: the component manufacturers, the equipment manufacturers and the equipment users. Is it compatible with the Western European system of the CECC, and, in turn, the international system of IEC(Q), initiated in 1982. Six contributors presented the several points of view, including the role that universities can play in teaching the concepts of quality systems, the views of the designer of computer electronics and of the producer of consumer electronics. The Japanese were demonstrating some ten years ago that very high levels of quality and reliability were both feasible and economic; the UK electronics industry recognised this, and has been active in following the same route. There should be only one level of quality produced, and there is no intrinsic reason why a certified product should cost more. Quality applies not only to the engineering of a product, but is a total issue in all management functions, including the aspects of delivery, information and servicing. The management of the process has to start at the top with a quality strategy, key targets of performance must be agreed, and the results expressed numerically and fed back.

DOI:10.1049/ip-a-1.1986.0058

出版商:IEE    

年代:1986

数据来源: IET