INCOSE New England Event:

Intro. to MIT System Design and Management Program

Summary of Systems Engineering Activities at MIT

Research Talk: Systems Engineering for Changeability: Designing Systems for an Uncertain Future

Date
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Time
6:00PM

Speakers

INCOSE President : Mr. Pat Hale
MIT Professor : Oli De-Weck

Description

Introduction to MIT System Design and Management Program (SDM)
Summary of Systems Engineering Activities at MIT
Pat Hale, President INCOSE, Director SDM Fellows Program

This talk will give an overview of systems engineering activities at MIT. Specifically the emphasis will be on the mission and goals, history and current status of the MIT System Design and Management (SDM) Program. Created in 1996 in response to industry’s need to develop the next generation of leaders, SDM is at the forefront of graduate education at MIT. Not an MBA, SDM combines cutting-edge courses from the MIT Sloan School of Management and MIT’s School of Engineering. SDM is an important part of the Engineering Systems Division (ESD) and prepares graduates to think outside the box, lead across organizational boundaries and inspire others to collaborate and innovate in both technical and non-technical arenas. The centerpiece of SDM’s portfolio is its rigorous 13- to 24-month graduate program. Built on a foundation of core courses in system architecture, systems engineering, and system and project management—and integrated with classes in engineering and specially designed courses in management—this program leads to a master of science degree granted jointly by MIT Sloan and the School of Engineering. Accepted applicants can enroll as full-time on-campus students or part-time commuters/distance learners. All SDM fellows, wherever they may live, work together in global teams on class assignments throughout matriculation. MIT’s SDM program presents a systems approach to leadership and innovation, which is the beginning of a new way of thinking and a new way of life. SDM has served as the inspiration and blueprint for a number of similar programs around the world.

http://sdm.mit.edu

Research Talk:
Systems Engineering for Changeability: Designing Systems for an Uncertain Future
Prof. Olivier de Weck, Engineering Systems Division, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This research presentation focuses on how complex systems and products evolve over time. In system design, specifically, we are interested in how future uncertainty and reuse affect large scale projects. Currently, many systems in the aerospace, automotive and other domains are rigid point designs that cannot easily be changed after their initial deployment. We develop quantitative and implementable methods and tools that explicitly consider both changeability and commonality over a system’s lifecycle. Specific examples of such methods are Time-Expanded Decision Networks (TDN), the sensitivity-Design Structure Matrix (sDSM) and the Technology Infusion Analysis (TIA) process. These methods have been implemented in a variety of software tools and have been demonstrated on systems and products of real-world complexity. Examples of industrial application of the abovementioned methods in Systems Engineering for Changeability will be shown such as launch vehicle design (NASA), oil & gas production systems (BP) and digital printing platforms (Xerox). The emphasis is on successful adoption of systems engineering research in a variety of organizations to solve problems in space exploration, oil and gas exploration and production, as well as the development of complex electro-mechanical products, among others. Ultimately, explicitly designing systems for uncertain future conditions and requirements will change the mindset and practice of engineering as we know it today.

http://strategic.mit.edu

Location
MIT - : 37-252 (Marlar Lounge)
(Directions to be emailed with RSVP)

Parking available at West Annex lot

Cost
No cost for this event.

Reservations
Please RSVP to info@incose-ne.org