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This is a presentation into the EngD in Systems programme, Systems Thinking and Systems Engineering and my research.
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EngD in Systems (Thinking)
Richard Craig
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Outline• What is an EngD?• What is Systems Engineering?• What is Systems Thinking and
why is Systems Thinking important?• Research into Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)
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What is an EngD?
• The Engineering Doctorate, or EngD, provides a more vocationally oriented doctorate in
engineering than the traditional PhD and is better suited to the needs of industry.
• The degree was introduced nationally in 1992 and combines academic research in an industrial
context with taught modules in a range of related subjects.
• The EngD is a 'professional' doctorate, equivalent to a PhD, but with the Research Engineer
pursuing a research project while based within a company. The research itself is identified by the
sponsoring company and confirmed as appropriate by the University.
• Within the company, an RE is treated as an employee, eg with company hours of work and
holiday periods. The company commits to supporting the research project over the duration of the
4-year EngD programme, and to releasing REs to attend taught modules.
• All time spent on the EngD programme is fully recognised by Institutions towards CEng status.
Association of Engineering Doctorates, http://www.aengd.org.uk
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PhD or EngD?
PhD EngDTime 3yrs 4yrs
Money (Stipend) 14k 18k
Holiday Lots? 25 days
Focus Academic Industrial
Projects
This candidate is capable of independent research
Abstraction / Generalisation / Roadmap
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CLASSIFYING COMPLEX SYSTEMS
SOCIAL SYSTEMS
SOCIO- PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
Man-machine systems Organisations as systems Tech. management systems Safety management systems
Extended human family Herd of elephants
SOFT
HARD
PEOPLE
THINGS
In an EngD our engineering system is usually here!
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The EngD
Roadmap stitching portfolio together
RE’s EngD
Portfolio Components
Conference & journal papers
Assignment submissions
Project reports
Literature reviews
Survey resultsModels and
maps
Outcomes: Thesis that advances knowledgePortfolioSkills and techniquesSelf confidence
Benefits: Competitive advantage
Original learningInnovative solutionsMotivated and developed people
Problem field is agreed in the RE’s EngD agreement
Taught Units
Progress reviews
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The Final Portfolio
How and when are decisions regarding…
.. and how are actions implemented?
Research Q 1
How do material properties…
…affect heat transfer through material?
Research Q2
How does design and selection influence …
Research Q3
How do different types affect …
Research Q4
Main road map question
Overriding research question
Stakeholders and the soft system aspects of the research
Hard experimental research
Hard research scoring based on predetermined assessment system
Hard/soft, depends on how we define sustainability etc.
Literature Review
Background understanding
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Types of qualitative research….
towards Positivism towards Phenomenology
Unstructured interviewsStructured
interviewsSemi-structured
interviews
Focus groups?
Ethnomethodology
Action research?
Narrative methods/ storytelling
Metaphors and artefacts
Questionnaire (some open questions)
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What is Systems Engineering?
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What is Systems Engineering?
• An interdisciplinary approach, focused on defining the needs and requirements (especially early in development cycle),
• Design synthesis and system validation whilst considering the whole problem, across the complete lifecycle.
• Systems Engineering considers both technical and business needs of all customers/stakeholders.
This is the INCOSE definition
• Systems Engineering is focused on understanding the full context for the solution being developed
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What is Systems Engineering?• Managing “more than a brain full”
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The need for the Systems Approach• Every thing –even if it isn’t, can be considered as a system• Using System properties is a means to understanding and
managing the complexity of a system and preventing unwanted emergence
• A key aspect of complex engineering systems is the fact that they frequently suffer late-observed emergent properties - which are expensive and difficult to solve
• The problems faced by system creators are only getting more complex – or will have more complex interactions with existing systems
• The only known way of effectively reducing the problem is to apply Systems thinking systematically, rigorously as early in the problem life cycle as possible
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The need for the Systems Approach• Big Picture thinking and the application of common sense to
projects• A structured and auditable approach to identifying the
requirements, managing interfaces and controlling risks through the project lifecycle
• Making sure appropriate effort is put into understanding the purpose of system, and ensuring a top-down approach (rather than diving straight to detail solution)
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What is Systems Thinking?
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What is Systems Thinking?
• Understanding the system elements • Understanding the relationships between elements (‘interfaces’)• Understanding any emergent properties
aka systems analysis
Systems Thinking Systems Engineering
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EmergenceUnwanted emergence in systems can be caused by• Variation (or failing to appreciate effect)
• Sub-optimisation (or not doing system level first)
• Dynamic effects (how systems change / behave with
time)
Unwanted emergence can be dealt with by • Assuming it won’t happen (wrong,
expensive, upset customers)
• Solving when it happens (expensive)
• Avoiding (most)
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System and Influence Diagram example
POWER SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
IGNITION SYSTEM
FUEL SYSTEM
INFORMATION SYSTEMELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
BRAKING SYSTEM
THE CAR SYSTEM
CAR STOPSWhat’s
missing?
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My Research
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The Critical National Infrastructure
TelecommunicationsEnergyFinanceGovernment & Public ServicesWater Health Emergency ServicesTransportFood
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A View Of Problem Complexity Space
• KNOWN
•
• KNOWABLE• COMPLEX
• CHAOTIC
• Sources - Rittel & Weber (1973), Kurtz & Snowdon (2003)
• Wicked Malignant
• Messy Vicious
• Wild Tricky
• Tame Docile
• Benign Clean• ‘MUST READ’ PAPERS
• 1) RITTEL & WEBBER (1973)
• 2) KURTZ & SNOWDON (2003)
• 3) CONKLIN (2009)
• Routine
• Best practice
• Trivial
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OODA Loops
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Contact• Richard Craig ([email protected])
Realising the Potential of Systems Thinking by Professor Mike Jackson Tuesday 8th March 2011 Pugsley Lecture Theatre, Queens Building, University Walk,5.30pm Wine and Nibbles to follow.
The talk will provide a brief account of the origins of systems thinking and its development over the past fifty years. It will review some of the successes and failures of the systems approach. Full abstract is available at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/eng-systems-centre/events/2011/m-jackson.html
Mike Jackson is Professor of Management Systems and Dean of the Hull University Business School. He has written 4 books on systems thinking and its applications and edited 6 others as well as publishing over 80 articles in refereed journals.