scholarly journals Theoretical Foundations for Preference Representation in Systems Engineering

Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Hanumanthrao Kannan ◽  
Garima V. Bhatia ◽  
Bryan L. Mesmer ◽  
Benjamin Jantzen
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Preference Representation ◽  
Rigorous Framework ◽  
Stakeholder Preferences ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

The realization of large-scale complex engineered systems is contingent upon satisfaction of the preferences of the stakeholder. With numerous decisions being involved in all the aspects of the system lifecycle, from conception to disposal, it is critical to have an explicit and rigorous representation of stakeholder preferences to be communicated to key personnel in the organizational hierarchy. Past work on stakeholder preference representation and communication in systems engineering has been primarily requirement-driven. More recent value-based approaches still do not offer a rigorous framework on how to represent stakeholder preferences but assume that an overarching value function that can precisely capture stakeholder preferences exists. This article provides a formalism based on modal preference logic to aid in rigorous representation and communication of stakeholder preferences. Formal definitions for the different types of stakeholder preferences encountered in a systems engineering context are provided in addition to multiple theorems that improve the understanding of the relationship between stakeholder preferences and the solution space.

Estimate Uncertainty: Miscommunication About Definitions of Engineering Terminology

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Meluso ◽  
Jesse Austin-Breneman ◽  
Jose Uribe
Keyword(s):  
System Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Parameter Estimate ◽  
Fortune 500 ◽  
System Level ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Current Design ◽  
Engineered Systems

Abstract Communication has been shown to affect the design of large-scale complex engineered systems. Drawing from engineering design, communication, and management literature, this work defines miscommunication as when communication results in a “deficiency” or “problem” that hinders parties from fulfilling their values. This article details a consequential example of miscommunication at a Fortune 500 engineering firm with the potential to affect system performance. In phase 1, interviews with engineering practitioners (n = 82) identified disagreement about what constitutes a parameter “estimate” in the design process. Phase 2 surveyed engineering practitioners (n = 128) about whether estimates communicated for system-level tracking approximate “current” design statuses or “future” design projections. The survey found that both definitions existed throughout the organization and did not correlate with subsystem, position, or design phase. Engineers inadvertently aggregated both current and future estimates into single system-level parameters that informed decision-making, thereby constituting widespread or systemic miscommunication. Thus, even technical concepts may be susceptible to miscommunication and could affect system performance.

Optimization of Complex Engineered Systems Under Risk and Uncertainty

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Kyum Choi ◽  
Mervyn Fathianathan ◽  
Dirk Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Karhunen Loeve Transform

The advances in information technology significantly impact the engineering design process. The primary objective of this research is to develop a novel probabilistic decision support tool to assist management of structural systems under risk and uncertainty by utilizing a stochastic optimization procedure and IT tools. The proposed mathematical and computational framework will overcome the drawbacks of the traditional methods and will be critically demonstrated through large-scale structural problems. The efficiency of the proposed procedure is achieved by the combination of the Karhunen-Loeve transform with the stochastic analysis of polynomial chaos expansion to common optimization procedures. The proposed technology, comprising new and adapted current capabilities, will provide robust and physically reasonable solutions for practical engineering problems.

Gaming the System: An Agent-Based Model of Estimation Strategies and their Effects on System Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Meluso ◽  
Jesse Austin-Breneman
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
System Level ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Bias Estimation ◽  
Agent Based Model ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems

Parameter estimates in large-scale complex engineered systems (LaCES) affect system evolution, yet can be difficult and expensive to test. Systems engineering uses analytical methods to reduce uncertainty, but a growing body of work from other disciplines indicates that cognitive heuristics also affect decision-making. Results from interviews with expert aerospace practitioners suggest that engineers bias estimation strategies. Practitioners reaffirmed known system features and posited that engineers may bias estimation methods as a negotiation and resource conservation strategy. Specifically, participants reported that some systems engineers “game the system” by biasing requirements to counteract subsystem estimation biases. An agent-based model (ABM) simulation which recreates these characteristics is presented. Model results suggest that system-level estimate accuracy and uncertainty depend on subsystem behavior and are not significantly affected by systems engineers' “gaming” strategy.

scholarly journals On the use of coordination strategies in complex engineered system design projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianne X. Collopy ◽  
Eytan Adar ◽  
Panos Y. Papalambros
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
System Level ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Coordination Strategies ◽  
Technical Leadership ◽  
Complex Engineered Systems ◽  
Design Projects

Abstract Coordination of distributed design work is an important activity in large-scale and complex engineered systems (LSCES) design projects. Coordination strategies have been studied formally in system design optimization and organizational science. This article reports on a study to identify what strategies are used in coordination practice. While the literature primarily offers prescriptive coordination strategies, this study focussed on the contribution of individuals’ behaviours to system-level coordination. Thus, a coordination strategy is seen as a particular set of individual actions and behaviours. We interviewed professionals with expertise in systems engineering, project management and technical leadership at two large aerospace design organizations. Through qualitative thematic analysis, we identified two strategies used to facilitate coordination. The first we call authority-based and is enabled by technical know-how and the use of organizational authority; the second we call empathetic leadership and includes interpersonal skills, leadership traits and empathy. These strategies emerged as complementary and, together, enabled individuals to coordinate complex design tasks. We found that skills identified in competency models enable these coordination strategies, which in turn support management of interdependent work in the organization. Studying the role of individuals contributes an expanded view on how coordination facilitates LSCES design practice.

Large-Scale System Analysis Under Uncertainty

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro D. Domínguez-García
Keyword(s):  
Power Systems ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Engineering Application ◽  
Bulk Power ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Power Application ◽  
The Impact

Discover a comprehensive set of tools and techniques for analyzing the impact of uncertainty on large-scale engineered systems. Providing accessible yet rigorous coverage, it showcases the theory through detailed case studies drawn from electric power application problems, including the impact of integration of renewable-based power generation in bulk power systems, the impact of corrupted measurement and communication devices in microgrid closed-loop controls, and the impact of components failures on the reliability of power supply systems. The case studies also serve as a guide on how to tackle similar problems that appear in other engineering application domains, including automotive and aerospace engineering. This is essential reading for academic researchers and graduate students in power systems engineering, and dynamic systems and control engineering.

scholarly journals Challenges of Megaproject Management of Education in Contemporary Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 02020
Author(s):  
Inga K. Polyanskaya ◽  
Lyudmila V. Kuznetsova ◽  
Liliya S. Brusentsova ◽  
Evgeniy V. Kozhevnikov
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Economic Management ◽  
Education Management ◽  
Russian Economy ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

This article discusses the theoretical foundations of megaproject management. Based on consideration of education management in contemporary Russia, the issues of implementing megaproject management are identified. The purpose of the study is to determine the problems and opportunities of megaproject management in education. The project classification is made on various grounds, and information on one of the key Russian national projects, namely, Education is provided. The article considers the relationship of megaprojects with the government’s economic policy, as well as the ratio of expenditures as a percentage of GDP in the most important sectors of society’s development. The use of logical and statistical methods allowed concluding the prevalence of large-scale projects in the Russian economy regardless of their effectiveness. The reasons for the inefficiency of megaproject management are quite numerous, including methodological problems, features of the institutional environment, and the emerging centralized model of economic management in Russia.

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