Handbook

Systems Engineering provides a framework to understand the processes and management practices associated with complex systems. The course explains how three critical disciplines (systems engineering, project management and integrated logistics support) coexist and interrelate over a typical complex system lifecycle. The course then provides a brief coverage of each of those disciplines. The underlying systems engineering process is presented and is shown to be applied repeatedly throughout the entire lifecycle of a complex system. The course introduces several common systems-engineering tools and techniques and describes selected systems engineering management concerns. Project management is described using the PMBOK’s knowledge areas as a basis before concentrating on the key knowledge areas of scope, cost and time management. Key project management tools such as work-breakdown structures, scheduling tools, and earned value management will be described in some detail. The course also provides a brief coverage of the critical discipline referred to as integrated logistics support. The main drivers of this discipline are covered, including the need to influence the early lifecycle stages with supportability in mind.