Blog Archives

The AI team take a deep dive into a research paper which explores the design and implementation of a “balanced classroom” approach to systems engineering education. The author, drawing on years of teaching experience and systems engineering principles, argues that traditional lecture-based methods are ineffective and proposes a system that integrates various pedagogical techniques, including flipped classrooms and authentic learning activities. The research investigates the effectiveness of different teaching methods and delivery modes (synchronous/asynchronous), analyzing … Continue reading →

The AI team take a deep dive into Tom Gilb’s presentation to the BCS in July 2024 on AI quality which advocates for a multidimensional approach to evaluating AI systems, moving beyond vague descriptions. He argues that current AI models are defective due to inherent instability and a lack of transparency. Gilb proposes using quantifiable metrics for qualities like transparency and security, incorporating a stakeholder model for a more comprehensive understanding. The presentation emphasizes the need for measurable standards to assess AI systems effectively, contrasting Large … Continue reading →

Our AI team takes a deep dive into a 2023 webinar presentation by Professor Joseph Kasser who argues that the traditional approach to writing system requirements is fundamentally flawed and proposes an alternative: Object-Oriented Systems Engineering (OOSE). OOSE replaces text-based requirements with object properties managed within an Integrated Information Environment (IIE), aiming to improve communication, reduce errors, and increase project success rates. The presentation details OOSE’s four-stage system development process and highlights its advantages over … Continue reading →

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 →

The AI team takes a deep dive into an unpublished manuscript, written by an anonymous engineer, which presents a critical analysis of the “Formal Systems Engineering Process” (FSEP) prevalent in the older, large-scale aerospace and defense contracting industries. The author argues that FSEP, combined with an ideology called “Managerialism,” fosters an inefficient, top-down bureaucratic culture that stifles innovation and leads to high costs and reduced reliability. This system, characterized by excessive reliance on formal requirements, spreadsheets, micromanagement, and favoritism, is … Continue reading →