Nearly every engineering project could benefit from the techniques provided by a system engineering process.
From military technology to bridge-building, from huge spacecraft to tiny computer chips, the need to connect different engineering disciplines into a seamless whole is essential. Nearly every engineering project could benefit from the techniques provided by systems engineering. Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary engineering field that can be used to streamline complex projects by coordinating between teams, optimizing workflow, managing risk, and guiding the product towards a better solution. Here at Sunrise, our systems engineers possess technical knowledge in a wide range of engineering disciplines, and they act as “Chief Engineer” on any technical decision that crosses interfaces. Our expertise ensures that all aspects of a project are harmonized, leading to a more cohesive and efficient development process. This holistic approach is crucial for delivering high-quality, reliable products in a competitive market.
Step One: Requirements Analysis and Management
The first step in any successful development project is the collection, refinement, and organization of design inputs. Requirements Analysis is the art of making sure design inputs can be translated into verifiable technical requirements. Effective prioritization of these requirements enables a systems engineer to formulate contingency plans for addressing risks and taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Organization of a hierarchical requirement structure supports the management of complex products across distributed development teams. Having a systems engineer in charge of design inputs helps projects move smoothly through each stage of development. This structured approach ensures that all stakeholder needs are met and that the project remains aligned with its initial goals. By meticulously managing requirements, we can avoid costly redesigns and ensure timely project completion.
Step Two: Functional Analysis and Allocation
The systems engineer leads the team in developing strategies to meet the requirements. Formulation of these strategies will be an iterative process that leverages trade-off studies, risk analyses, and verification considerations, as process inputs. Risk management is one of the activities where the systems engineer can make the most significant contributions by increasing patient and user safety. Users can have many different points of contact with a device, and without the holistic approach of a systems engineer, it becomes difficult to mitigate risk through all interfaces. Systems engineers formulate strategies to minimize not only safety risks, but also technical and programmatic risks while at the same time maximizing performance, reliability, extensibility, and profitability. A systems engineer coordinates interdisciplinary design activities to reduce safety and programmatic risk profiles while maximizing product and project performance. This comprehensive risk management approach ensures that potential issues are identified and addressed early in the development process. By doing so, we enhance the overall safety and effectiveness of the final product.
Step Three: Design Synthesis
During Design Synthesis, the systems engineer leads the team through a systematic process of quantitatively evaluating each of proposed design solutions against a set of prioritized metrics. This can help the team formulate questions or uncover problems that were not initially obvious. When Design Synthesis is well-executed, it helps reduce the risk, cost, and time of product development. An experienced Systems Engineer is able to distill informal input from key stakeholders into actionable guidance and combine this information with formal design input requirements to formulate a more accurate picture of the design intent for the product and business goals of the enterprise. This phase is crucial for ensuring that all design solutions are viable and aligned with project objectives. By rigorously evaluating each option, we can select the most effective and efficient path forward.
Step Four: Systems Analysis and Control
Systems Analysis and Control activities enable the systems engineer to measure progress, evaluate and select alternatives, and document decisions made during development. Systems engineers help teams prioritize decisions by guiding them through trade-off matrices, which rank many options against a range of pre-defined criteria. Systems engineers look at a wide range of metrics, such as cost, technical qualifications, and interfacing parameters in order to help the team make decisions that will lead to the most successful project. A Systems engineer can also provide assistance with modeling and simulation tasks. This analytical approach ensures that all decisions are data-driven and aligned with project goals. By continuously monitoring progress, we can make informed adjustments to keep the project on track.
Step Five: Verification
Verification is the process of evaluating the finished design using traceable and objectives methods for design confirmation. The goal of verification is to make sure the design outputs satisfy the design inputs. The systems engineer coordinates the efforts of the verification team to ensure that feedback from Quality Engineering gets incorporated into the final product. An experienced Systems Engineer knows how to leverage different verification methods to streamline the verification process, providing maximum flexibility in addressing the inevitable changes that occur during the development process. By properly compartmentalizing design and verification activities the systems engineer can minimize the extent of retesting resulting from regression analyses. This step is essential for ensuring that the final product meets all specified requirements and performs as intended. Thorough verification helps to build confidence in the product’s reliability and safety.
Conclusion
Modern medical device development presents a host of complex challenges. Systems engineers provide coordination between different engineering disciplines and overarching guidance and leadership through each stage of a development project. The use of systems engineering techniques and processes is critical to remaining competitive and relevant in today’s market. Sunrise has extensive experience in systems engineering, which enables our teams to proactively guide and execute development for a range of projects. Our proven track record demonstrates our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative solutions that meet the needs of our clients. Partner with us to leverage our expertise and achieve your project goals efficiently and effectively.
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Updated May 15, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions About The Sunrise System Engineering Process
What does a systems engineer actually do?
A systems engineer manages design inputs and requirements, leads the development of strategies to meet project requirements, analyzes and compares design solutions, helps the team make informed decisions by considering trade-offs and risks, and oversees verification and testing to ensure the final product meets specifications.
What is the role of system engineering in product development?
Systems engineering ensures that all engineering specialties work together seamlessly to achieve the project goals. It involves defining and prioritizing requirements, developing strategies to meet those requirements, evaluating design solutions, monitoring progress, and verifying that the final product meets the initial requirements.
What is the role of a system engineer in software development?
In software development, a systems engineer manages software requirements, leads the development of strategies to meet those requirements, analyzes and compares software design solutions, helps the team make informed decisions by considering trade-offs and risks, and oversees verification and testing to ensure the software meets specifications.
What is the difference between product engineering and system engineering?
Product engineering focuses on the design and development of a specific product, including its features, performance, and usability. Systems engineering, on the other hand, is an interdisciplinary approach that ensures all engineering specialties work together seamlessly to achieve the overall project goals, which may include multiple products or systems.
What are the three types of systems engineering?
The three types of systems engineering are:
- Product Systems Engineering (PSE): Focuses on the development of a specific product.
- Service Systems Engineering (SSE): Focuses on the development of services and service systems.
- Enterprise Systems Engineering (ESE): Focuses on the development of complex organizational systems.
What are the main goals of systems engineering?
The main goals of systems engineering are to ensure that all engineering specialties work together seamlessly, to reduce project risks, costs, and development time, to increase product performance, reliability, and safety, and to create a more efficient product development process.
What is a practical example of system engineering?
A practical example of systems engineering is the development of a medical device, where systems engineering ensures that all components (hardware, software, and user interface) work together seamlessly to meet the regulatory requirements and perform as expected.
What are some examples of systems engineering in everyday life?
Examples of systems engineering in everyday life include the development of smartphones, automobiles, and home automation systems, where multiple engineering specialties work together to create a seamless and functional product.
What does a systems engineer do for medical device development?
In medical device development, a systems engineer manages design inputs and requirements, leads the development of strategies to meet regulatory and performance requirements, analyzes and compares design solutions, helps the team make informed decisions by considering trade-offs and risks, and oversees verification and testing to ensure the final product meets specifications.
What are some common hurdles, challenges, and mistakes one should be aware of when starting system engineering processes?
Common hurdles and challenges in systems engineering include managing complex requirements, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between engineering teams, and balancing trade-offs between different design solutions. For more detailed insights, refer to our 10 Product Development Gotchas blog post.
Has system engineering changed much in the past 5-10 years?
Yes, systems engineering has evolved significantly in the past 5-10 years, with advancements in technology, increased focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, and the adoption of agile methodologies to improve efficiency and reduce development time.
How might the systems engineering process evolve in the future?
The systems engineering process is likely to evolve with further advancements in technology, increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, greater emphasis on sustainability and environmental impact, and continued integration of agile and lean methodologies to enhance efficiency and adaptability.
