Systems Engineering Fundamentals
In collaboration with the University of South-Eastern Norway TNO-ESI developed an online course about Systems Engineering.
Introduction
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary approach to design and develop a holistic problem solution considering the entire system lifecycle from ideation through disposal. It begins with eliciting stakeholders’ needs in various domains to generate requirements that determine the system’s functionality and architecture including eventual verification and validation of the final solution. The course provides an overview and a foundation for students and professionals to achieve an understanding of and ability to apply a core subset of concepts, processes, methods and techniques.
Learning objectives
Knowledge
- Explain the fundamental processes, methods, and techniques for systems engineering.
- Explain composition of a system, a system of systems, systems integration, systems engineering management and a systems development lifecycle.
- Understand how the systems engineering approach aids in improving the quality of a system’s performance throughout the system's life cycle
Skils
- Identify and prioritize the stakeholders and elicit their needs and convert these needs into requirements that will influence the design and engineering of the solution system.
- Apply existing SE methods or tailor a methodology with the intention to create a process for managing the progress and outcomes of a project.
General competences & attitude
- Assess and integrate multiple perspectives in order to establish the holistic systems view.
- Transfer and apply the knowledge, skills and attitude into their daily practice and projects as systems engineers.
- Appreciate the importance of Systems Thinking and apply systems thinking practices.
- Willing to communicate with a diversity of stakeholders with the appropriate terminology in order to provide and receive correct information on which to base decisions.
Program overview
Module 1
- SE introduction
- Introduction and learning objectives
- Systems thinking
- SE in a nutshell
- SE history
Module 2
- Customer & business context
- How companies work - workflow in organisations
- Constomer context, ConOps
- Scoping
- Business & Lifecycle context
Module 3
- Stakeholder needs & requirements
- Needs analysis & elicitation
- Stakeholder identification, analysis & characterisation
- Requirements
- Early validation
Module 4
- Architecting
- Architecting & design
- Concept selection
- Dynamic behavior
- Modelling
Module 5
- Design
- Partitioning & interfaces of the system
- Functional analysis
- Design reviews
- Enabling systems
Module 6
- Verification & Validation
- Integration strategies
- Verification methods
- Validation means and methods to validate
- Preparing for operations
Module 7
- Life cycle qualities
- DfX - qualities of a system
- Integration system qualities
- Trade-off studies
- Value engineering
Module 8
- SE management
- Professional skills for SE
- Program and project management
- Systems Engineering Master Plan
- Technical management
Module 9
- Cross cutting topics
- SE trends & future
- Value of SE
- Human factors
Training format
This five day course (2 + 3 days) on Systems Engineering Fundamentals combines online lectures with face-to-face workshops. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to key principles and practices in the field. The course features the following format:
Online Lectures
- Lectures are made availbale via an online platform.
- Lectures are grouped in 9 modules. Modules consist of 4-5 short instruction video's, a handout, and additional references.
- Study load per online module is approaximately 2-3 hours.
- Each module starts with an industry example to illustrate concepts and methodologies.
- Lessons are delivered by experienced instructors, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights.
Face-to-face workshops
- Team projects: Participants collaborate in small groups on a progressive real life SE use case.
- The face-to-face workshops combine hands-on excersizes, discussion, and reflection.
This format ensures a balanced mix of learning and application, making it ideal for building foundational expertise in systems engineering.
Dates, location, registration, and pricing
- Upcoming course:
- Module 1: 18,19 March 2025
- Module 2: 30 April, 1 May 2025
- Teacher: Roland Mathijssen
- Price per participant is € 3.750,- excl. VAT.
- Location: Hightech Campus, Eindhoven
- For additional information and registration please send a mail to: jade.minten@tno.nl.