Page 1 Systems Engineering Initiatives at NASA To GODDARD/SMA-D EDUCATION SERIES Gregory L. Robinson NASA Deputy Chief Engineer September 25, 2008

Page 2 Major Initiatives  Establish Technical Authority  Improve Program and Project Management  Revitalize Systems Engineering Strategy to support NASA Vision

Page 3 Deployment of the NASA SE Framework Tools and Methods NASA SE Handbook SE Body of Knowledge “Art and Science of Engineering Space Systems” monograph SE Bibliography & References SE Community of Practice SE Wikii MBSE Initiative Center tool use surveys NASA Toolshed Center SE-specific websites Workforce, Knowledge and Skills SE Roadshow Understanding NPR A course SE courses offered through NASA APPEL SE Workforce Development Strategy, SE Behaviors SE Leadership Development Program (SELDP) Center SE OJT programs, SE Mentoring SE Seminars, bi-annual SE Masters Forum, SE Track at PM Challenge SE Activity of the Year Award Characterization of SE workforce, SE Community (target audience) SE Survey Common Technical Processes SE NPR Center SE NPR Implementation Plans Center surveys (gap analysis) Center Procedural Requirements

Page 4 Engineers Across NASA Described Systems Engineering Prepare the documents necessary for key project milestones—poor Manage processes—a good part, an enabler, but not enough Perform as the technical conscience of a project—nice but generic Design, realize, and manage the creation, development, and implementation of the system —reasonable Know the technical “red line” through the system; be able to anticipate effects of changes throughout the system and lifecycle—reasonable but limited Maintain the big-picture perspective, integrating all disciplines— reasonable Maintain the project’s technical integrity, whatever it takes—reasonable

Page 5 What is Systems Engineering at NASA? Systems engineering is the “art and science” of developing an operable system that can meet requirements within imposed constraints. Systems engineering is holistic and integrative. It incorporates and balances the contributions of many disciplines, including systems safety, to produce a coherent whole that no single discipline dominates. Systems engineering is about tradeoffs and compromises, about generalists rather than specialists. Systems engineering is first and foremost about getting the right design—and then about maintaining and enhancing its technical integrity, as well as managing complexity with good processes. Neither the world’s greatest design, poorly implemented – nor a poor design, brilliantly implemented – is worth having.

Page 6 Maintaining Balance Among Subsystem Designs

Page 7 The Scope of Systems Engineering

Page 8 Systems Engineering Activities Span the Project Lifecycle

Page 9 Program/Project Mgmt Requirements NPR NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements NPR Systems Engineering Procedural Requirements (and Other Engineering NPRs) NPD Strategic Management & Governance Handbook NPD The NASA Organization NPD “Acquisition” NPD NASA Policy for Safety & Mission Success OSMA NPRs Mission Support Office NPDs Support Org NPRs Engineering Requirements SMA Requirements MSO Functional Requirements Center Engineering & Management Policies and Practices Program Plans Project Plans Mission Directorate Programmatic Requirements NPD A NASA Health & Medical Policy for Space Exploration NID and OCHMO NPRs Health & Medical Requirements Realignment of Governing Documents NPD NPD

Page 10 Common Technical Processes 3.1 – Figure 3-1 SE Engine

Page 11 Role of SE in context of PM Systems EngineeringProject Control System Design Requirement Definition Technical Solution Definition Product Realization Design Realization Evaluation Transition Technical Management Technical Planning Technical Control Technical Assessment Technical Decision Analysis Planning Risk Management Configuration management Data Management Assessment Decision Analysis Management Planning Schedule Management Integrated Assessment Resource Management Acquisition management Project

Page 12 Development Activities for Systems Engineers

Page 13 Development Activities for Systems Engineers by Performance Level

Page 14 An Example of Healthy Tension

Page 15 Summary This vision will require a renewed emphasis on systems engineering. In order to implement this vision, NASA is pursuing an approach that takes into consideration the latest reinvigoration of systems engineering in other Government and Industry initiatives. The Best Systems Engineering Principals, Processes, and Techniques Will Turn This Vision into Reality