Implementing Systems Engineering in Early Stage Research and Development (ESR&D) Engineering Projects

Abstract

Early Stage Research and Development (ESR&D) is one of the most crucial phases in the design process. It is of interest to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), university affiliated Research and Development (R&D) centers, government entities, and public and private commercial enterprises. This paper explores the topics of whether and when to apply systems engineering (SE) in ESR&D projects, how much SE to apply and how to make that determination, and barriers to implementation with advice on how to overcome them. The authors conclude that applying SE in the early stages of R&D projects is a necessary element of the overall risk management strategy, but that the SE effort must be appropriately tailored to balance investment with value while supporting scalability for future growth.

Inconsistent and Incomplete Datasheet: The Case for Systematic Use of Requirement Engineering

“…On the opposite, the teaser of requirement-based methodology state of the art is oriented in a top-down approach on the very early stages of system design. (Hahn et al 2020) states that placing the 'design phase' above all considerations in order to gain time and/or costs is no guarantee of money efficiently spent. The article rather states the need for methods and tools tailored to the expected outcome of the product.…”

Datasheet: where is requirements engineering gone? A case in Benchmarking Mobile Robotics

“…On the opposite, the teaser of requirement-based methodology state of the art is oriented in a top-down approach on the very early stages of system design. [13] states that placing the 'design phase' above all considerations in order to gain time and/or costs is no guarantee of money efficiently spent. The article rather states the need for methods and tools tailored to the expected outcome of the product.…”

Perceived Conflicts of Systems Engineering in Early‐Stage Research and Development1

“…Management of the creative tension, and thus the structural tension of conducting research, has been described for R&D in the context of ESR&D (Rogers 2003, Hahn et al 2020, Senge et al 1994. The typical bureaucratic structure of an organization is not conducive to managing creative tension and promoting successful technological innovation and research.…”

“…This process-light, risk-based framework for assessing system development risk aligned well with the Laboratory's risk-based approach to project management, conceptually facilitating its widespread use. Visualizing the R&D "Valley of Death" Sandia National Laboratories also developed a risk-based graded approach framework to the application of systems engineering, quality management, and project management with activities based on standards including the systems engineering life cycle standard ISO/IEC 15288, Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), and the AS9100 quality management standard (Hahn et al 2020).…”