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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved A Complete Approach to Systems Engineering Becky Reed, ESEP Bill LaMarsh, Ph.D. Reed Integration, Inc. SEDC Conference April 2014

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Abstract In 2009, Money Magazine listed Systems Engineer (SE) as the #1 job in America. SE was not in the top 10 Best Jobs for the next 3 years on the same list. Why is this? Two key areas have contributed to the SE competency being removed from this list. First, SE has not been defined and promoted as a complete, holistic view of a system. This system of interest does not have to be a multi-year complex solution. It can be something simple where functional requirements and an architectural approach is needed. Too often, SEs have become associated with Information Technology (IT) solutions exclusively the assumption is this arena is the only domain where architectural solutions are needed. Page 2

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved About Becky Reed Integration, Inc. Coastal Virginia & DC Region President and CEO Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), INCOSE - 2010 Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), INCOSE - 2004 8(a), SDB, WOSB, EDWOSB Technical and Management Services: SE, PM, Acquisition SE, Process Improvement Reed Learning Institute: PMP /CSEP Prep, Professional Certificate Programs, Custom Training Programs Previous Life MORGAN Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL and Hampton Roads, VA Program Development Manager, Science & Engineering Programs Systems Eng & Integration WBS Manager, ISS microgravity research project BWX Technologies, Inc., Lynchburg, VA & Livermore, CA Systems Engineering Manager, Separator Engineering Group, LLNL Lead Integration Engineer, medical isotope target manufacturing project Systems Engineer, Accelerator and Magnet Systems Division Boeing consultant/Computer Sciences Corporation, Huntsville, AL Information Systems Engineer for MSFC Propulsion Lab; PrISMS contract Grumman Aerospace Corporation, Huntsville, AL Lead Systems Engineer, Space Station Freedom Program Page 3

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved About Bill Reed Integration, Inc. Director of the Reed Learning Institute: Project/Program Management Fundamentals, Advanced Topics, PMP Prep Systems Engineering Fundamentals, Life Cycle Processes, CSEP Prep Leadership Teambuilding, Technical Management Security Cyber Systems, Security Requirements Acquisition PWS/SOW/SOO Development, Acquisition Engineering Previous Life IT Contractor at NASA Langley Research Center Hampton Roads, VA Project Manager supporting Information Technology (IT) solutions. Areas of support include web design, Systems Administration, Financial Systems, IT Security, and Architecture Design. Symantec Corporate Hampton Roads, Va. Lead Architect on PCAnywhere and other products. Page 4

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 5 Reed Integration has performed Systems Engineering process assessments for Federal and Commercial organizations. The assessments use the INCOSE Handbook as the best practice benchmark. Participation in many different Systems Engineering Groups. Assessments and relationships are demonstrating a few consistent gap areas. Lets get back to the basics!

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Project Planning Project Assessment & Control Decision Management Risk Management Measurement Configuration Management Information Management Stakeholders Requirements Definition Requirements Analysis Architectural Design Implementation Transition Integration Verification Operation Disposal Maintenance Validation Project Processes Technical Processes Project Portfolio Management Infrastructure Management Life Cycle Model Management Human Resource Management Quality Management Acquisition Supply Organizational Project- Enabling Processes Agreement Processes Process Guidelines INCOSE SE Handbook v3.2.2 Chapter 1.3 Page 6

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Per the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Handbook: An integrated set of elements that accomplish a defined objective. These elements include products (hardware, software, firmware), processes, people, information, techniques, facilities, services, and other support elements. From Websters New Dictionary of the English Language: A group of units so combined as to form a whole and to operate in unison. *Photo courtesy of NG Mission Systems

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 8 An integrated approach to engineering and managing a system Takes all aspects of a system (sometimes a project) into consideration to ensure an integrated, quality product! Some aspects of a managing a system: Operational Scenarios / Environments Requirements / User Needs Architecture Interfacing systems Safety Issues What is Systems Engineering?

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved What is Systems Engineering? Define and understand the problem before you solve it!!!

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 10 Image of being a documentation/process career path. Often noted as an IT Role, vs. traditional engineering support. Difficult to quantify WHY SE processes are so important: Cost/Risk avoidance. Perceived as expensive. Standard processes get in the way. Viewpoint of someone elses responsibility.

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 11 Most customers do not utilize Functional Analysis in technical processes. Incorrect Assumptions: Team already *knows* what the requirements are. Functional Analysis takes too long. True engineering uses hard requirements, not functional use case scenarios. Generally excluded from traditional engineering discipline courses.

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 12 Tailoring approach varies. Many Assumptions: Tailoring is good for large projects but not for small projects. Tailoring implies you know all the processes. Lack of understanding allows one to tailor out anything that is unknown. If there are no standard processes/ templates, how do we tailor? Difficult to determine what to tailor, so reuse previous processes and move on!

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 13 Most companies/projects generate Lessons Learned. Few people ever use this information: Our project is different. That information is too old. They tailored out what I need. I cannot find the data I am looking for. Leads to lots of rework/relearning!

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 14 Projects rely heavily on SMEs. Research has shown: SMEs are usually expensive. Became experts based upon their specific application of knowledge (can be industry specific). Usually added when a project is in trouble.

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 15 What is Systems Engineering? Project Managers of Technical Project. Historically they are Chief Engineers/Lead Engineers. Engineers who are multidisciplinary. Also noticed: Limited training and/or career track for Systems Engineers. Excellent communication skills required. Inconsistency across industry/government with roles.

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 16 Everywhere! Systems Thinking/the SE framework applies to different organizations. Example: presented a this approach to an IT Security problem at a recent INCOSE conference overwhelming agreement from the audience. SE is not just for large and complex problems! 16

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 17 SE is a unique field. Assessment allows an organization to benchmark their SE solutions. Education/training is needed on applications and value! Systems Engineering allows for creative and innovative solutions. Need to start back at the basics and defining the system of interest, stakeholders, functions!

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Page 18 Certifications 8(a) through 2016 WOSB/EDWOSB Small Disadvantaged Business SWAM (Virginia) PMI Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) Private On-Site Training Customized course content Delivered anywhere in US Academic Partner Training Old Dominion University Florida Institute of Technology Virginia Community College System Services Acquisition Systems Engineering Systems Engineering Office Setup / Support Program / Project Management Office Setup / Support Process Maturity Assessments Risk Processes Development and Implementation Staff Augmentation / Mentoring PMI Certified Project Managers INCOSE Certified Systems Engineers Risk Managers Analysts Commercial: Reed Integration, Inc.

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Copyright 2014 Reed Integration Inc All Rights Reserved Thank You!! Thanks for attending! Keep in touch: Becky Reed, ESEP President/CEO rreed@reedintegration.com Office: 757-638-3238 Cell: 757-338-3238 Dr. Bill LaMarsh, PMP, CISSP Director, Reed Learning Institute blamarsh@reedintegration.com Office: 757-541-8033 Cell: 757-810-5971 www.reedintegration.com