2 Jul 01 1

2 Jul 01 2

The non-Academic Viewpoint on how Academia can be used to

Support Stakeholders

Colonel David WrightBSc MSc MPhil CEng FIEE

UK Defence Logistics Organisation

2 Jul 01 3

Introduction

• Not a MOD representative• An informed personal view

• SE influenced Smart Acqusition• Little understanding now• INCOSE rarely recognised• There is a reason…

2 Jul 01 4

Scientifically Sound Systems Engineering

• Acute need• No common language• What is SE process?• What is the value?• Lost and re-discovered?

2 Jul 01 5

Role of Academics

• Need for a theory• Much more than checklists• Natural role for INCOSE academic community

2 Jul 01 6

Some Challenges

• Experience of real-world SE?• Little time in real-world to stand back, take stock• Practitioners don't really want to have to think• Desire for a silver bullet• Every SE effort will be different• It MUST be – product and process are open

systems!

2 Jul 01 7

Some Examples Applied to Process-

Defence Acquisition

2 Jul 01 8

Effectively Unprecedented Acquisition

OperationalShortfall Desire for

OperationalAdvantage

Engineeringand Production

Experience

InterGeneration

Interval

TechnologicalAdvance

Delay

-

SystemReliability

Operatingand Training

ChangesImpact of

New System

--

-

-

2 Jul 01 9

Effects of Competition

PriceTrust and

Cooperation

CustomerSatisfaction

Competition

Skill Base andCapability

Margins andProfitability

RepeatOrders

- --

Product Quality,Performance,

InnovationCompanyFailures or

Withdrawalsfrom Defence

Business

NaiveUnderbidding

Project Failure

Choice

Market forDefence Systems

CustomerDemand

- -

--

2 Jul 01 10

Effects of Requirement Specification

ContractorResponsibility

CustomerSatisfaction Delivery of

Product toMeet Need

CustomerRequirement

Definition

-

Effort andFocus on the

Customer

-

2 Jul 01 11

Requirements and Accountability

Precisionand Clarity

Ability toDischarge PublicAccountability

Ability toAsses Product

MODRequirement

Definition Ability toContract and

Set Price

2 Jul 01 12

Product and Process Need Theory

• Acquisition is a large and complex system• Not working well• Improvements not effective• Same issues as in product systems• Both need scientifically sound SE theory

2 Jul 01 13

My Proposition

• Members tired of uncertainty• But always a hot topic• We must not give up• Academic initiative with industry involvement• Under the guidance and sponsorship of INCOSE• Codify the essence of SE• Then - major effort to distribute widely

2 Jul 01 14