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The Need for Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this course, you will be introduced to principles of systems engineering and its importance to the development of complex systems. You will learn to identify and define systems, manage their complexity, and describe their life cycle. The course uses real-world engineering examples to address how the systems engineering approach can address challenges.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Engineering in Engineering Management (ME-EM) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The ME-EM is designed to help engineers, scientists, and technical professionals move into leadership and management roles in the engineering and technical sectors. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the ME-EM is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience. Learn more about the ME-EM program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/me-engineering-management-boulder.

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Syllabus

Systems Engineering: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Welcome the the first week of "The Need for Systems Engineering". This week, we will define what we mean when we say system, a system of systems, and systems engineering. We will draw from publicly available systems engineering handbooks used by NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to identify the role system engineering serves in complex engineering processes, the interdisciplinary role of a systems engineer, and the lifecycle of a system.

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Introduces engineering students to the fundamentals of systems engineering

Provides a real-world engineering approach, centering on real-world engineering examples to illustrate systems engineering

Taught by William Van Atten, whose work in systems engineering is widely recognized

May require additional software tools and programs, such as test simulation software

Focuses on aerospace and defense systems

Lacks information about its target audience's experience level in systems engineering

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Reviews summary

Foundational systems engineering for professionals

According to learners, "The Need for Systems Engineering" provides an excellent foundation in systems engineering principles, making it highly valuable for professionals seeking to understand complex project management. Students frequently praise the instructor's very clear explanations and the impactful use of real-world examples from NASA and DoD, which bring theoretical concepts to life. While some note the course is theory-heavy and that lectures can sometimes feel dry, many appreciate this approach for a foundational understanding. Reviewers suggest the course lacked depth in certain areas like Model-Based Systems Engineering and recommend supplementing with more hands-on material to gain practical application skills. Overall, it's considered an invaluable start for understanding the systems thinking approach.

Strong theoretical grounding, but some desire more practical skills.

"It's theory-heavy, but that's what's needed at this foundational level."

"If you're completely new to SE, it's a starting point, but don't expect to become an expert from this alone."

"I'd suggest supplementing this with more hands-on material."

Instructor provides clear explanations with impactful real-world cases.

"The instructor's explanations were very clear, and the real-world examples, especially from NASA and DoD, made complex concepts easy to grasp."

"The historical examples of spacecraft mishaps were particularly impactful in demonstrating the need for robust SE processes."

"Dr. XXX explains everything with such clarity. The course really emphasizes the 'need' for SE..."

Highly relevant for engineers and managers in complex projects.

"As an experienced engineer transitioning into management, this course was exactly what I needed."

"Highly valuable for professionals."

"This course is a must-take for anyone entering or dealing with complex engineering projects. The systems thinking approach taught here is invaluable."

Provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to systems engineering.

"This course provided an excellent foundation in systems engineering principles."

"A good introductory course. The content covers the basics well and I found the modules on system lifecycle and requirements definition particularly useful."

"Provided a solid understanding of systems engineering fundamentals. It lays out the concepts clearly."

Some found lectures dry; could benefit from more engagement.

"I found the lectures a bit dry at times, and there wasn't much interactivity."

"It felt like watching a long presentation with little engagement. The content is sound, but the delivery could be improved."

"I just wish there were more opportunities for discussion or peer interaction, perhaps through a more active forum."

Lacks hands-on application and depth in some advanced topics.

"While the theory was strong, I would have liked a bit more on practical application or tools, beyond just high-level discussions."

"I expected more practical application or case studies beyond the brief accident discussions."

"Lacked depth in certain areas like Model-Based Systems Engineering. It felt like a high-level introduction rather than a detailed exploration."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Need for Systems Engineering with these activities:

Refresh foundational math skills

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Review these math topics as a foundational refresher to prepare for complex systems engineering concepts.

Browse courses on Calculus

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Review notes from previous math courses.
Solve practice problems from textbooks or online resources.
Enroll in an online refresher course.

Refresh skills in probability and statistics

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Probability and statistics are essential skills for systems engineering. Refreshing these skills before starting the course will ensure a solid foundation.

Browse courses on Probability

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Review the basics of probability theory, including concepts like probability distributions, conditional probability, and Bayesian inference.
Brush up on statistical methods like hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and ANOVA.
Practice solving problems involving data analysis and statistical modeling.

Follow tutorials on systems engineering methodologies

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Systems engineering methodologies provide a structured approach to complex systems development. Familiarizing yourself with these methodologies will enhance your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on System Development Lifecycle

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Explore online tutorials and resources on systems engineering methodologies.
Review case studies and examples to understand how these methodologies are applied in practice.

Six other activities

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Solve practice problems on systems engineering principles

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Systems engineering involves applying fundamental principles to solve complex problems. Solving practice problems will reinforce these principles and improve your problem-solving abilities.

Browse courses on Systems Thinking

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Identify practice problems from textbooks or online resources.
Analyze the problems, decompose them into smaller components, and apply relevant systems engineering principles.
Develop solutions and evaluate their effectiveness.

Create a system requirements specification document

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A system requirements specification document is crucial for defining the functional and performance requirements of a system. Creating one will provide hands-on experience in this essential aspect of systems engineering.

Browse courses on Requirement Analysis

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Gather stakeholder inputs and identify system needs.
Translate needs into a structured set of requirements.
Document the requirements in a clear and concise specification.
Validate and verify the requirements with stakeholders.

Attend industry conferences and meetups related to systems engineering

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Networking with professionals in the field will provide valuable insights and expand your understanding of systems engineering in practice.

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Research industry conferences and meetups focused on systems engineering.
Attend these events, actively participate in discussions, and connect with experts.

Participate in systems engineering workshops or training programs

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Structured workshops and training programs offer a focused and immersive environment to develop your systems engineering skills.

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Identify and register for workshops or training programs that align with your learning goals.
Actively participate in the workshops, engage with instructors, and apply the concepts learned.

Mentor junior students or colleagues in systems engineering

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Mentoring others will reinforce your understanding of systems engineering concepts and foster effective communication skills.

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior students or colleagues.
Provide guidance and support on systems engineering projects or assignments.
Facilitate discussions and share your knowledge and experience.

Compile a library of systems engineering resources

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Organizing and curating resources will provide quick access to valuable information and materials throughout your systems engineering journey.

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Gather resources from various sources, including textbooks, journal articles, online repositories, and industry websites.
Organize the resources into a structured and easily accessible format.

Career center

Learners who complete The Need for Systems Engineering will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Systems Engineer

A Systems Engineer designs, develops, and manages complex systems. The principles of systems engineering learned in this course will help someone in this role understand the underlying structure of the systems they are building, and identify key factors that affect the success of a system design. This course may be particularly useful for someone in this role who is specifically working with large-scale engineering projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst studies and designs systems to meet the needs of an organization. This course can help aspiring Systems Analysts build a foundation in systems engineering principles that will allow them to better understand the systems they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course can help aspiring Software Engineers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to software development. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on large-scale software projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. This course can help aspiring Project Managers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to project management. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in managing large-scale projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains documentation for technical products and services. This course can help aspiring Technical Writers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to technical writing. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in writing documentation for complex systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Quality Assurance Engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer ensures that products and services meet quality standards. This course can help aspiring Quality Assurance Engineers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to quality assurance. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Engineer

Test Manager

A Test Manager plans, executes, and reports on software testing. This course can help aspiring Test Managers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to software testing. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in managing software testing for complex systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Test Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst analyzes business needs and develops solutions to meet those needs. This course can help aspiring Business Analysts understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to business analysis. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex business systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help organizations make better decisions. This course can help aspiring Data Analysts understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to data analysis. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working with large datasets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst uses mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex problems in a variety of industries. This course can help aspiring Operations Research Analysts understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to operations research. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on large-scale operations research problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Human Factors Engineer

A Human Factors Engineer designs and evaluates systems to ensure that they are safe and easy to use. This course can help aspiring Human Factors Engineers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to human factors engineering. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems that involve human interaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Factors Engineer

Systems Dynamics Modeler

A Systems Dynamics Modeler creates and uses computer models to simulate complex systems. This course can help aspiring Systems Dynamics Modelers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to systems dynamics modeling. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems that involve feedback loops and non-linear relationships.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Dynamics Modeler

Safety Engineer

A Safety Engineer identifies and mitigates hazards in order to protect people and property. This course can help aspiring Safety Engineers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to safety engineering. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems that involve safety risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Safety Engineer

Reliability Engineer

A Reliability Engineer ensures that systems are reliable and meet performance requirements. This course can help aspiring Reliability Engineers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to reliability engineering. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems that require high levels of reliability.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reliability Engineer

Risk Manager

A Risk Manager identifies and manages risks to organizations. This course can help aspiring Risk Managers understand how systems engineering principles can be applied to risk management. This course may be particularly useful for those interested in working on complex systems that involve significant risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Need for Systems Engineering.

Systems Engineering Principles and Practice

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Comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of systems engineering. It covers the entire systems engineering process, from requirements definition to system design, implementation, and deployment.

Systems Engineering Principles and Practice (Wiley...

Hardcover

$$$

Systems Engineering Principles and Practice (Wiley...

Kindle Edition

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