Blog Archives

The AI team take a deep dive into the case study on the successful system design process of the LuZ SEGS-1 solar power system’s control and electronics in 1981, using a modified Functions Requirements Answers and Test (FRAT) approach. The author, Joseph Kasser, uses the SEGS-1 project as a case study to illustrate how FRAT facilitates understanding the relationships between system functions, physical decomposition, and requirements. The paper presents several design choices and their rationales, … Continue reading →

Our AI team takes a deep dive into a 2013 conference paper which critiques Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), arguing that it largely rehashes existing systems engineering principles from a more holistic perspective. The author contends that MBSE’s focus on modeling overlooks the potential of advanced information technology to improve systems engineering tools. The paper proposes integrating existing research to enhance these tools with “smart” capabilities such as improved requirements management and risk assessment. It advocates … Continue reading →

The AI team take a deep dive into C.J. Kikkert’s presentation to the Retired Engineers Group in Adelaide, Australia, February 2025. The presentation explores the feasibility of nuclear power within Australia’s energy transition. Kikkert, an electrical engineer with no vested interest in nuclear or renewable industries, analyzes nuclear power’s properties, costs, and timelines, comparing it to variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like solar and wind. The presentation questions nuclear power’s economic viability and its impact on grid … Continue reading →

The AAI team take a deep dive into the book “Perceptions of systems engineering” which presents a comprehensive examination of systems engineering, exploring its multifaceted nature. The author, a highly experienced systems engineer, analyzes various perspectives on systems engineering, including the “A” and “B” paradigms, highlighting the importance of holistic thinking and the need for a common vision in project planning. The text also examines different methodologies, tools, and models used in the field, and … Continue reading →

The AI team take a deep dive into Prof Derek Hitchins’ book “putting systems to work”. The book presents a comprehensive approach to systems engineering, contrasting traditional “closed-system” methodologies with a novel “open-system” framework. The open-system approach emphasizes adaptability, cohesion, and the importance of human elements within systems. The text explores various methods for analyzing and designing complex systems, including soft systems methodology, cognitive mapping, and the use of generic reference models. A core concept … Continue reading →