Improving the Systems Engineering Process with Multi-Domain Mapping

Year: 2013
Editor: Scheurmann, E.; Maurer, M.; Schmidt, D.; Lindemann, U.
Author: Eppinger, S.D.; Joglekar, N.R.; Olechowski, A.; Teo, T.
Series: DSM
Institution: 1: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; 2: Boston University School of Management, USA
Section: Analysis and Modeling of Multiple Domains
Page(s): 63-70
ISBN: 978-3-446-43803-3

Abstract

The systems engineering V (SE-V) is the standard model to guide development of complex engineering projects (INCOSE 2011). The SE-V involves decomposition and integration of system elements through a sequence of tasks that produces both design and testing specifications. This paper explores a new method to improve SE-V implementation by applying multi-domain mapping (MDM) and design structure matrix (DSM) models in a novel way for analysis of both the system architecture and the system integration tasks. We illustrate our preliminary work using this method with data collected during the early development stage of a large engineering project in the offshore oil industry, including the component DSM, integration task DSM, and corresponding domain mapping matrix (DMM). We discuss findings in terms of data collection, aggregation, visualization, and potential insights for addressing system integration challenges.

Keywords: System architecture, systems engineering, system integration, design for testability, system reliability