Conference Session

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Solving Problems

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald C. Rosenberg, Michigan State University; Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

Student Growth in Communication Skills AbstractGlobal Systems: Economics, Engineering and the Environment is a course about globalizationand its impact on our students as professionals and as citizens. The three core student learningobjectives for this course are: (1) to increase each student’s awareness and understanding of thecomplex process of globalization, (2) to increase each student’s ability to communicate orally toprofessional groups, and (3) to increase each student’s motivation to become more involvedprofessionally and personally with sustainability issues.The focus in this paper is on assessing the impact of the course experience with respect to growthin

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Catherine Skokan, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

participate in a single course.The program has an annual average enrollment of 250 students (approximately 2/3 begin thesequence in the fall, 1/3 begin the sequence in the spring) working on 45-50 externally-sponsored projects/year guided by a faculty team of eight members. In the 2008/9 academicyear, weekly meetings included ten lectures in the first semester and provided systematic designtools that supported engineering design, project management, workplace issues, andcommunications. The major objective of the first semester was the preparation of a formal designproposal. During the second semester, students implemented their designs through theconstruction of working prototypes or preparation of a design/build bid package for the project

Conference Session

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Solving Problems

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cecelia M. Wigal, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

-making process that aids the engineer in generating andevaluating characteristics of an entity (physical or process) whose structure, function, andoperation achieve specified objectives and constraints. The program describes the process as theapplication of the solid foundation of the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciencesto the abstractness, complexity, and solving of real world problems.The elements of the design process are emphasized throughout the program’s curriculum,beginning with the freshmen year. At the freshman year the Introduction to Engineering Design(IED) course uses project-based learning to address (1) problem definition, (2) attributegeneration, (3) function, constraint and objective identification, (4) idea

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Colin J. Neill, Pennsylvania State University, Great Valley; Joanna F. DeFranco, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

results indicate that the CCM does indeed improvestudent learning.IntroductionA graduate’s ability to function within a multidisciplinary team is one of the 11 programoutcomes ABET requires of accredited engineering programs. The rationale is clear: engineeringis typically performed in teams, but the implementation raises several questions: Do studentslearn how to effectively function as a team simply by working on team projects? Should studentsbe given classes, training, or guidance on how to be a team player? Does the act of working in ateam benefit or hinder a student’s learning of course content?We do not attempt to answer all these questions, but we do address the issues of 1/ whethereffective team-work evolves naturally within student teams

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alice F. Squires, Stevens Institute of Technology; Jon Wade, Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology; Douglas A. Bodner, Georgia Institute of Technology; Masataka Okutsu, Purdue University; Dan Ingold, University of Southern California; Peter G. Dominick Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology, W.J. Howe School of Technology Management; Richard R. Reilly, Stevens Institute of Technology; William R. Watson, Purdue University; Don Gelosh, ODDRE/Systems Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

significantlyaccelerated as compared to the rate at which learning would occur naturally on the job. Thepurpose of the research project is to test the feasibility of a simulated approach for acceleratingsystems engineering competency development in the learner.A notional diagram of how the various concepts developed for the ExpAcc are related is shownin Figure 1. The development team has a threefold challenge to balance the development of thesimulator technology (ExpAcc) that supports displayed content (shown in green) that, in turn,supports the developed concepts (shown in purple). The goal is to effectively create challengesand landmines that support the user’s experience of the necessary “Aha” moment. The intent isthat by experiencing the “Aha” moment, the

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Agnes Galambosi, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Ertunga C. Ozelkan, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

CurriculumAbstract “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” This quote,often referred to as an ancient Native American Indian proverb, summarizes the principle ofsustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their own needs (Bruntland[1]). The importance of sustainability becomesclear as we try to meet the constantly increasing needs of our society with limited resources onEarth. Systems Engineers can play a very important role in this, that is why, at the SystemsEngineering and Engineering Management Program of University of North Carolina at Charlotte,we are looking for ways to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum.The purpose of this study

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elisabeth W. McGrath, Stevens Institute of Technology; Susan Lowes, Institute for Learning Technologies, Teachers College/Columbia University; Chris Jurado, Stevens Institute of Technology; Alice F. Squires, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

materials, faculty characteristics,student characteristics) leads to the largest student gains in (1) SE learning; (2) interest in SEcareers; and (3) interest in DoD problems and careers?This research is being conducted in the context of 14 “capstone” courses, in most cases as an Page 22.1277.2integrative culminating, project-based course involving teams of students working together onthe development of a product or prototype that addresses a real Department of Defense (DoD)need. Implemented as pilot courses in eight civilian and six military universities, most of whichare members of a SE-focused University Advanced Research Center, or UARC based at

Conference Session

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Solving Problems

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yumin Zhang, Southeast Missouri State University; David K. Probst, Southeast Missouri State University

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

in science and engineering, it is a greatchallenge for students in other majors. Fortunately, there are software packages available tobridge this gap in mathematic skills, such as STELLA®/iThink® . With the help of this software,all students can learn system thinking and apply it to their own area of study.This is a three credit hour course, and there are two one-hour lectures and one two-hour lab eachweek. The objectives of this course include the following: 1) have a better understanding of thephysical world and human society; 2) develop skills on information gathering and analysis; 3)understand the behaviors of systems at different levels; 4) learn how to take actions to achieveexpected results; 5) provide an opportunity for open-ended

Conference Session

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Solving Problems

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adeel Khalid, Southern Polytechnic State University; Scott C. Banks, Georgia Tech Research Institute

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

Management C Responders A I R E D Federal Incident S S Responders Management Page 22.1366.2 Figure 1 – System of Interestoperating in different portion of the radio spectrum and have specific protocols andmethods of response.The objective of this research is to use a systems engineering approach to investigate theissues within the

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Guerra, NASA Headquarters; Wallace T. Fowler, University of Texas, Austin; Martin James Brennan, University of Texas, Austin, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

without presentingthe entire final 100 page report2. Note the Table of Contents entries are compressed here. Theywere not compressed in the student report.Table of Contents Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Project Scope (Need, Goal, Objectives, Mission, Constraints, Assumptions, Authority and Responsibility, Concept of Operations, Requirements, Requirements Hierarchy, NEWTON Mission Requirements, Level 1 Requirements) 3.0 Design Approach (Trade Tree, Trajectory, Trajectory Design, Trajectory Design Approach, Trajectory Heritage, Trajectory Trade Study, Trajectory Final Design, Launch Vehicle, Launch Vehicle Definition, Launch Vehicle Design Approach, Launch Vehicle Trade Study, Launch Vehicle Final Design. Ground

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James A. Nemes, Pennsylvania State University, Great Valley; Kirsten S. Hochstedt, Penn State University; Mary Lynn Brannon, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Elizabeth C. Kisenwether, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Robert M. Capuro, Pennslyvania State University; Sven G. Bilen, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

modules weredeveloped and delivered by faculty who teach in The Pennsylvania State University’s Master ofEngineering in Systems Engineering program from the School of Graduate Professional Studiesin conjunction with faculty from the College of Engineering. The modules with their respectiveobjectives are listed in Table 1. One module was delivered in each of the first 8 weeks of thecourse, which met twice per week. Each systems engineering module consisted of readings,exercises, and a 75-minute class presentation. During class meetings when modules were notdelivered, students met in their teams to work on their projects. Each team had biweeklyconference calls with project sponsors. Teams were also expected to deliver functionalprototypes as well

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Keith G. Sheppard, Stevens Institute of Technology; John A Nastasi, Stevens Institute of Technology; Eirik Hole, Stevens Institute of Technology; Peter L. Russell, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

get a deeper introduction to SE principles in a required course in their program,Innovative Systems Design, in the second semester of their junior year. This course is structuredaround the main elements of a Concept of Operations (ConOps) with a strong focus onunderstanding stakeholder needs and objectives before selecting a high level system conceptaugmented by operational scenarios.SE Capstone Pilot Project OrganizationSo building on this foundation, both in terms of basic SE ideas and some limited application forthe undergraduate engineering students, the pilot project for inculcating systems engineeringthrough the capstone was designed with five project phases: 1. System definition phase: Development of ConOps (including system

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven Corns, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Cihan H. Dagli, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Ivan G. Guardiola, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

had to interact with this stakeholder.This learning environment has seldom been implemented within academia, mimicking theorganizational characteristics of current industry partners. This structure is depicted in Figure 1. Hence, students had the availability to setup ad-hoc meetings with various people in orderto discuss current design endeavors or conflicts. A communication network was created wherestudents could use Blackboard® to communicate, exchange documents, and access courselecture materials. This environment provided the capability for students to participate in allaspects of the course, as communication and accessibility were readily available regardless of thegeographical location or time of day. The uniqueness of this

Conference Session

A Systems-Thinking Approach to Solving Problems

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adeel Khalid, Southern Polytechnic State University; Isaiah Waindi, SPSU Systems Engineering Graduate

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

offers verysignificant and complex challenges to which a systems approach to providing solutions may bewell suited for.Additionally, this region was chosen given the available amount of statistical information, andrenewable energy research currently being undertaken. Page 22.1237.2 Figure 1: Map showing the East African Region17The Current State of Energy in East Africa (EA)Africa is the second largest continent in the world, both in terms of size and population, yet thecontinent continues to experience slower than desired economic growth and significantly highpoverty levels. This paper focuses on Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda with approximately 40million, 41 million and 33

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard W. Freeman, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; Richard J. Hartnett P.E., U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard E Fairley, Software and Systems Engineering Associates

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

Knowledge (PMBOK®) must be adaptedfor software projects2,3.These commonalities would make it appear that software engineering is merely anapplication of systems engineering; however, this is only a surface appearance.Systems engineers need to understand how these similar-sounding work activitiesare different in the software domain from those in other engineering disciplines.The differences arise from the intangible nature of software and the physical natureof other engineering artifacts. This results in different approaches to curriculumdesign and different approaches to problem solving, which in practice results indifferent cultural attitudes, different uses of terminology, and differentcommunication styles.Table 1, below, and some of the

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David R. Jacques, Air Force Institute of Technology; John M. Colombi, Air Force Institute of Technology; Richard G. Cobb, Air Force Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

is proposed that this approach might better serve the graduate degreestudent in the United States that returns to the government workforce after completing what theyview as a terminal Masters degree program. Figure 1. Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy4 Page 22.7.3Needs of the DoD Workforce According to the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Strategy1, the goal of theDoD was to add over 4,000 people to the Defense Acquisition Workforce (DAW) in fiscal year2010, and almost 20,000 people over the fiscal years 2009-2015. This represents a 15% targetedincrease by 2015! This is not simply a need for increased

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael C Smith, University of Virginia; Reid Bailey, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

effect it has had on the students who have earned degrees through the program. The paperemphasizes the importance of continuing to offer “high value, high touch” programs to workingprofessionals even while simultaneously expanding access to graduate education throughInternet-based programs.MotivationAn April 2009 Defense Science Board report regarding the United States Department of Defensestrategic acquisition platform offered several important conclusions about the current DODacquisition process and several observations and recommendations about how best to addressthem.1 The notion that successful acquisition processes require “relevant experience” is woventhroughout the report: “The Department needs to hire and assign individuals with proven

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Stansbury, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach; Massood Towhidnejad, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach; Jayson F. Clifford; Michael P. Dop, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

willingto admit their development issues without undue ridicule or retribution. Page 22.151.3Walking Skeleton and Early VictoryThe walking skeleton is an essential element of Cockburn’s Crystal Clear process3. A walkingskeleton is a functional system of hardware and software representing the work to date. Witheach iteration, the teams add more features to the skeleton, fleshing it out, toward the finalwhole. Toward the end of the project, the walking skeleton can be refactored into the finaldeliverable. The design of the current skeleton is usually communicated through diagrams suchas those shown in Figure 1. Figure 1: Artifacts from osmotic

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ricardo Pineda, University of Texas, El Paso; John E. Weaver, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; Oscar H. Salcedo, University of Texas, El Paso; Jose Luis Falliner, The University of Texas, El Paso; Richard T. Schoephoerster, University of Texas, El Paso

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

carried out atNASA shows that out of 38 skills, 36 are directly related to communications, leadership,attitudes, and systems thinking. While only 2 of the skills are the "hard skills" dealing withtechnical acumen. The data yielded 38 key characteristics or behaviors which were grouped intofive categories: 1) leadership, 2) attitudes, 3) communication skills, 4) systems thinking, and 5)systems acumen; the results clearly indicate the soft skills above and beyond the technical“acumen” are clearly what set the best NASA engineers apart.31This paper concentrates on the Systems Engineering (SE) graduate programs developed in theCollege of Engineering (COE) at the University of Texas at El Paso; similar efforts onredefinition of curricula at the

Conference Session

Systems Engineering Division Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adeel Khalid, Southern Polytechnic State University; Chyna Kristin Vaughn

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

concerns, and analyzes several transportation alternatives based on SystemsEngineering comparative analysis. We illustrates that the most effective and highly desirablesolution to Metro Atlanta’s transportation problem is the development and implementation of aSpecialized HOV lane. Past and recent survey data highlight the key selection criteria for theutilization of an alternate method of transportation. This paper is a case study to demonstrate theapplication of systems engineering tools and methodologies acquired in a systems engineeringgraduate program.Systems Engineering MethodologyThis study is an example of the application of the systems engineering methodology. The processas shown in Figure 1 is a generic process taught as part of the

Conference Session

SE Capstone Design Projects, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radu F. Babiceanu, University of Arkansas, Little Rock; Daniel Rucker, University of Arkansas, Little Rock; Hussain M Al-Rizzo, University of Arkansas, Little Rock; Seshadri Mohan, University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering, Systems Engineering

operationalefficiency and increase their bottom line.1. IntroductionThis paper discusses both the educational aspects, in terms of pedagogical approach to teach thecapstone design course and assessment of the course learning outcomes, and the technicalaspects of the 2006- 2007 Systems Engineering Capstone Design course at the University ofArkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Teaching systems engineering, in general, and systemsengineering capstone design course, in particular, is a subject of continuous debate due to themultidisciplinary nature of the systems engineering discipline and the expectations of thestakeholders involved in the capstone design course1-2. This work presents the UALR SystemsEngineering Department successful experience in teaching the

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alice F Squires, Stevens Institute of Technology; Robert J. Cloutier, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

Education, 2011 Comparing Perceptions of Competency Knowledge Development in Systems Engineering Curriculum: A Case StudyAbstractAccording to the Systems Engineering (SE) Division of the National Defense IndustrialAssociation, one of the top five systems engineering issues for the Department of the Defense(DoD) is: “The quantity and quality of systems engineering expertise is insufficient to meet thedemands of the government and defense industry.”1 The growing gap between the numbers ofexisting versus needed systems engineering experts has caused numerous institutions to developsystems engineering competency models to guide workforce development. Academia hasresponded by incorporating existing systems engineering competency

Conference Session

Developing Systems Engineering Curriculum, Part II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alice F. Squires, Stevens Institute of Technology; David H. Olwell, Naval Postgraduate School ; Timothy L.J. Ferris, University of South Australia; Nicole A.C. Hutchison; Arthur Pyster, Stevens Institute of Technology; Stephanie Enck, Naval Postgraduate School

Tagged Divisions

Systems Engineering

categorization as initial, emerging, developed,or highly developed, programs can design a strategy for further systems engineering curriculumdevelopment. The paper ends with a request for reviewers to participate in the upcoming open(public) GRCSE version 0.5 review scheduled to begin year end 2011.IntroductionThere are many strategies that can be used to develop new systems engineering graduateprograms. One method is to develop the program within an existing department by combiningnew curriculum into a base or core set of courses and adding existing courses to addressspecializations or electives.1 Often, the focus of newly developed systems engineering curriculais based on industry partnerships and feedback.2 In some cases a new department may