2.2.1 Decision Management (DM) as the engine for scalable cross domain Systems Engineering (SE)

Abstract

Decisions create the future in any industry or human endeavor. A robust Decision Management (DM) capability is the key enabler for accelerating the benefits of Systems Engineering (SE) discipline to new domains. Effective Decision Management is comprised of three elements: 1) decision patterns; 2) DM methods engine; 3) decision‐centric information model. INCOSE can leverage DM as an engine for SE outreach to new industries and domains. DM is highly scalable and integrates knowledge from many processes and stakeholders. A “decisions‐first” outreach strategy offers a clear value proposition to the primary stakeholders who must be convinced of the benefits of SE discipline. Existing decision‐makers gain a new set of techniques that improve decision quality, speed and execution. Subject matter experts gain a method for influencing designs with their unique knowledge and preserving their knowledge in the form of decision patterns. Project managers gain the ability to proactively identify and prioritize decisions and manage their impact on project cost/schedule baselines. Solution developers gain a better understanding of the upstream decisions that drive their requirements. Most of the cross‐domain benefits of DM can be demonstrated through rapid‐payback pilots without commitment to wholesale adoption of more comprehensive, complex and costly SE frameworks. The authors propose to engage INCOSE's Decision Analysis working group as the forum for investigating the cross‐domain applicability of DM.

8.2.1 Integrating System Models around Decisions

“…A comprehensive methods engine for Decision Management has been described in multiple sources 2,3,4,5 . Because this methods engine represents that transformation of stakeholder needs into realized solutions and the rationale behind them, the methods engine drives a comprehensive Decision Management information architecture/meta-model.…”