Case studies of systems engineering and management in systems acquisition

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of case studies in systems engineering and systems management, especially case studies that involve systems acquisition. We first provide a brief overview of case studies, including some of the analysis techniques useful for the conduct of case studies. Next, we discuss a two-dimensional framework for systems engineering and management case studies. The framework is in the form of a 9 row by 3 column matrix. We present a number of vignettes of case studies, at least one for each of the 27 cellular entries in this matrix. The hope is that this will be a stimulus and precursor of additional systems engineering and management case study efforts, both in terms of appropriate frameworks for these and in the actual conduct of case study research.

B-2 Systems Engineering Case Study

“…Figure 1 shows four views of the aircraft with each view showing the details of the control surfaces, doors, access panels, and other external features. Note the center of the aircraft from the bottom view, showing the large cut out of the structure to accommodate the weapons bay doors (4), engine access doors (4), and the main landing gear doors (2). The ability to achieve an efficient structural design in the presence of the large cutouts on the bottom skin of the vehicle is one of the significant achievements of the structures team.…”

“…The Friedman-Sage [2] Framework was used to examine the context of all the learning principles, their primary responsibility and their overall effect on the program. The FriedmanSage construct and its associated matrix of nine Concept Domains and Three Responsibility Domains gives the systems engineering practitioner a powerful tool to examine a program's systems engineering effort.…”

“…This case study presents learning principles specific to the B-2 using the Friedman-Sage framework [2] to organize the assessment of the application of the systems engineering process. The framework and the derived matrix play an important role in developing case studies in systems engineering and systems management.…”

“…Northrop and Lockheed both received a Phase 1 contract to test models of their concepts mounted on a pole at the 2 An excellent summary of the early works in low observables, along with the details of Have Blue and the F-117A can be found in Reference 4. government RCS test range at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Lockheed was selected as the winner for Phase 2 in a close competition in April 1976 and flew the first Have Blue aircraft December 1, 1977 3 .…”

Outcomes of a Systems Engineering Project for K-12 Teachers

“…(8) Because of our goals, the second dimension covers science content knowledge and practices and engineering skills from the private sector viewpoint. As such we sacrificed inclusion of other complexities common to systems engineering such as public sector and non-profit organizational concerns.…”