|
This book provides a basic but complete coverage of the management of complex
technical projects and, in particular, of the discipline known as systems
engineering through which that management is conducted. We offer a framework
encapsulating the entire systems engineering discipline, clearly showing where
the multitude of systems engineering activities fits within the overall effort.
The framework provides an ideal vehicle for understanding the complex discipline
of systems engineering.
We take a top-down approach that
introduces the philosophical aspects of the discipline and provides a framework
within which the reader can assimilate the associated activities. Without such a
reference, the practitioner is left to ponder the plethora of terms, standards
and practices that have been developed independently and often lack cohesion,
particularly in nomenclature and emphasis. The field of systems engineering is
often viewed as dry, detailed, complicated, acronym-intensive and uninteresting.
Yet, the discipline holds the solution to delivering complex technical projects
on time and within budget, and avoiding many of the failures of the past. The
intention of this book is both to cover all aspects of the discipline and to
provide a framework for the consideration of the many issues associated with
engineering complex systems.
Our secondary purpose is to
describe a complex field in a simple, easily digested manner that is accessible
to a wide spectrum of readers, from students to professionals, from novices to
experienced practitioners. It is directed at a wide audience and aims to be a
valuable reference for all professions associated with the management of complex
technical projects: project managers, systems engineers, quality assurance
representatives, integrated logistic support practitioners, maintainers, and so
on.
In line with the top-down
approach of systems engineering, we focus in this book on the early stages of
the system life cycle since the activities in these stages have the greatest
impact on the successful acquisition and fielding of a system. In the interests
of balance, however, we use the systems engineering framework to provide an
overview of all other aspects related to systems engineering.
Ian
Faulconbridge
and Michael
Ryan are both senior lecturers with the School of Information Technology
and Electrical Engineering, University College, The University of New South
Wales, Canberra |
All Argos Books are available
for purchase through the Co-op
Bookshop.
 |
