Intended learning outcomes: Explain systems thinking and the top-down approach. Describe phases of life of a system and the system life cycle. Present in detail the problem solving cycle. Disclose the differences between software engineering and classical systems engineering.
In all realizations of systems, typical problems arise. These problems are dealt with by systems engineering, independently of the type of system. Figure 19.1.0.1 shows the characteristics of systems engineering following [HaWe18], [HaWe05], or [Züst04]. The most important principles are then summarized below.
Fig. 19.1.0.1 Systems engineering: overview based on [HaWe18]. The symbol Ω stands for end, that is, termination of system development.
The essential, core ideas in systems engineering can also be applied without difficulty to the life cycle phases of all types of systems. In quite a lot of cases, however, there are specific differences. Section 19.1.4 provides an example: the development of IT-supported information systems, or software engineering. Software engineering differs from classical systems engineering in some important aspects.
Course section 19.1: Subsections and their intended learning outcomes
19.1 Systems Engineering
Intended learning outcomes: Explain systems thinking and the top-down approach. Describe phases of life of a system and the system life cycle. Present in detail the problem solving cycle. Disclose the differences between software engineering and classical systems engineering.
19.1.1 Systems Thinking and the Top-Down Approach
Intended learning outcomes: Describe systems thinking and the proceeding from the general to the particular (top-down approach). Produce an overview on creating and evaluating variants at each level of the system.
19.1.2 Phases of Life of a System and System Life Cycle
Intended learning outcomes: Differentiate between system development and system implementation. In system development, present in detail the content of the preliminary study, the main study and the detailed studies. In system implementation, produce an overview on system establishment, system introduction and handover, system operation, and system decommission.
19.1.3 The Problem Solving Cycle
Intended learning outcomes: Identify the problem-solving cycle. Present in detail situational analysis, formulation of objectives, synthesis of solutions, analysis of solutions, evaluation of solutions, and decision in the problem-solving cycle.
19.1.4 The Waterfall Model Versus the Spiral Model
Intended learning outcomes: Describe system development by strictly following to sequence of life cycle phases and the waterfall model. Explain iterative system development, prototyping and the spiral model.
Course 19: Sections and their intended learning outcomes
Course 19 – Systems Engineering and Project Management
Intended learning outcomes: Explain systems engineering. Disclose project management.
19.1 Systems Engineering
Intended learning outcomes: Explain systems thinking and the top-down approach. Describe phases of life of a system and the system life cycle. Present in detail the problem solving cycle. Disclose the differences between software engineering and classical systems engineering.
19.2 Project Management
Intended learning outcomes: Present goals and constraints of a project. Describe project phase, project life cycle, and work breakdown structure. Explain scheduling and effort planning as well as organization of a project. Differentiate between cost, benefits, profitability, and risk of a project.
