1

Review of Standard Tools

Mark E. Sampson

EMIS 8340

Systems Engineering Tool—applying tools to engineering systems

2

Standard Desktop Tools

…according to a time & motion study by TI, Systems Engineers spend 50% of their time writing documents, 25% of their time re-entering the same information in different locations, 14% of their time futzing (technical term for getting documents to print correctly), and 30% of their time in meetings,…

…you’ll notice it adds up to greater than 100% due to average SE workweek of 60+ hours

One of the fundamental purposes of Tools is to accelerate your job.

[Sampson 1994]

3

Keeping the architect ahead of construction crews

…analysis by TI, Gartner, and others shows 50% of programs go runaway. Standish claims the majority of those are caused by a failure to define, deliver, and keep-up-with requirements.

Runaway’s are characterized by late cycle changes, heroic integration efforts, …, and “architects documenting what the construction crews are building” rather than leading the way.

…lack of direction/leadership increases probability of a runaway.

Goal of tools is to keep the architect ahead of construction crew…it’s the carrot

[Sampson 1994]

4

Why documents…

Given the amount of time spent on documents, it’s easy to get confused about what the systems engineering product is…

…a document? Or a design?

A discussion about wheelbarrows.

DESIGN

SPEC.

5

DESIGNSPEC.

DESIGNSPEC.

Documents…a means of conveying design decisions

Tools are used to accelerate the capture and delivery of design information. Documents are one way to do that.

Upside of documents:• Codify the design• Communication• Culturally acceptable• How you get paid

The downside of documents:• Paper based baselines & management systems• Nobody reads them• Obsolete by the time you print them• Give you a good feeling about project if documents are on schedule

DESIGNSPEC.

6

Standard Desktop Tools—Word Processors

Word, Word Perfect, Framemaker, Interleaf, and other intelligent word processors

• Simple: Word, Word Perfect,…for reports, documents,…• Complex: Framemaker, Interleaf…books, etc.

Using Field codes/references tagging as a database

Page formatting languages(ROF with tagging)

7

Standard Desktop Tools--Spreadsheets

Excel and other spreadsheets…

• Macros• Visual Basic

Spreadsheet based systems engineering

Embedded applications…• Crystal Ball• Matlab• SAS• Risk Managers

8

Standard Desktop Tools--Presenters

Powerpoint and other presentation tools…

“Powerpoint engineering”

• Visual Basic• Animations

9

Standard Desktop Tools--Databases

Relational: like Access, Paradox,…OracleObject: ObjectStore, Versant,…

• “Systems Engineers love to roll-their-own” • “Vast majority of requirements/traceability is held in Access”

Combine word processor with database:

Example: Rational Requisite Pro

10

Standard Tools—Yellow Sticky Notes

Post-it® Sticky Notes

How used…• Brainstorming…example from class or my choosing

• Organizing information • Decomposition• …

Electronic version: http://www.post-it.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/PostItNA/Home/Products/~/Post-it-Digital-Notes?N=3294647338+4327&rt=rud

23

Google Drive

Provides: • Online, web-based collaboration and sharing• Document repository, CM,…• Course Assignment Status