Blog Archives

Applying systems thinking to systems engineering

The AI team does a deep dive into a made to the INCOSE Chesapeake Chapter presentation which challenges conventional systems engineering approaches by advocating for a more holistic, systems thinking perspective. It introduces the Holistic Thinking Perspectives (HTPs) framework, a multi-faceted method for analyzing problems from various viewpoints, including external (systems thinking) and internal (analysis) perspectives. The presentation contrasts systems thinking with conventional problem-solving, illustrating its limitations and highlighting the importance of understanding the system’s … Continue reading

Comments Off on Applying systems thinking to systems engineering

Applying systems thinking to the Ten Commandments

The AI team take a deep dive into Dr Kasser’s YouTube presentation which explores the Ten Commandments from a systems thinking perspective. The author questions the exact number of commandments, examining different interpretations of the biblical text in Exodus and Deuteronomy. A structural analysis is performed, breaking down each commandment into its components. Quantitative analysis is also applied, counting the commandments based on various criteria. Ultimately, the paper raises questions about the interpretation and application of the Ten Commandments … Continue reading

Comments Off on Applying systems thinking to the Ten Commandments

Benchmarking competency models for systems engineers

The AI team take a deep dive into a 2013 paper whihc introduces a framework for benchmarking competency models used to evaluate systems engineers. The authors highlight the challenges in comparing existing models due to differing competency groupings. They propose a Competency Model Maturity Framework (CMMF) that assesses competency across knowledge, cognitive characteristics, and individual traits. The paper benchmarks nine existing competency models using the CMMF, revealing a common omission related to the implementation domain. The authors suggest the … Continue reading

Comments Off on Benchmarking competency models for systems engineers

Building a better systems engineering postgraduate course

Our AI team takes a deep dive into a presentation made to the INCOSE Chesapeake chapter in July 2022. The presentation/paper explores the creation of a postgraduate systems engineering course designed to cultivate “outstanding” systems engineers. The study employs a systems approach, analyzing various pedagogical methods and identifying key skills and knowledge requirements. It introduces a framework categorizing systems engineers into five types based on their problem-solving abilities and proposes a competency model for assessment. … Continue reading

Comments Off on Building a better systems engineering postgraduate course

Conceptual laws and customs of Christmas

The AI team take a deep dive into Dr. Joseph Kasser’s “Conceptual Laws and Customs of Christmas” which satirically explores Christmas traditions through a Talmudic lens, presenting imaginary laws and customs governing Christmas preparations, the tree, decorations, gift-giving, office parties, and festive meals.  The book meticulously mimics the style of the Talmud, presenting “laws” followed by numbered commentaries exploring their rationale and potential variations. This creates a humorous effect by applying the rigor of Jewish legal … Continue reading

Comments Off on Conceptual laws and customs of Christmas