National Council on Systems Engineering
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

August 8, 1995  Tuesday Evening Monthly Program
... featuring the recently released NCOSE Systems Engineering Guidebook

"Practical Systems Engineering Metrics"
by Ann L. Wilbur (Loral Western Development Labs)

                         --<< >>--
Abstract
~~~~~~~~
  "Measure only those things from which action can be taken."

Successful management of programs (or recovering programs in
trouble) as well as lessening cycle time and development costs,
requires insightful measurement.  In this talk, three types of
metrics will be described:

o  Planning and Control
o  Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) and
o  Engineering Process and Quality.

Measurement is an organization's fundamental gauge of
performance.  In this decade, engineering organizations are being
bombarded with dozens of "how to" theories for developing
successful, quality products.  While the experts may differ in
the method for building those products, they are in near
universal agreement that measurement is required to:

o  increase customer satisfaction
o  align product development and support with the organization's
   strategic goals
o  empower teams to detect process and product problems whose
   resolution will yield increased customer and organizational
   satisfaction and
o  improve processes and products to become more competitive in
   the marketplace.

Measurement, both the art and science, is the tool by which the
performing organization will know whether the product (or system)
is meeting its goals.  Metrics then, are a composite of
meaningful measures that communicate important information about
the quality of our products, the way we do business and our
productivity.  A metrics program provides insight and awareness
of opportunities to improve products, performance, processes and
ultimately customer satisfaction.

Biography:  Ann L. Wilbur is a Principal Engineer with Loral
Western Development Labs, in San Jose. She has developed and
managed programs in advanced product development technologies,
including Integrated Product Development, Metrics, Automated
Concurrent Engineering and System Engineering Tools and
methodologies.  She has two masters degrees from Duke University
and the University of Southern California, and over 17 years
experience in the design and development of commercial and
aerospace products and systems. She currently chairs the NCOSE
Metrics Working Group and serves as a Director for the SF Bay
Area Chapter.

                         --<< >>--

Tues, Aug 8: 5:30 PM Social Half-Hour (hors d'oeuvres)
             6:00-7:00 Talk followed by Questions.
Place:       GTE Government Systems, Mountain View, Bldg 7
             Auditorium.  Near Central Expressway and Highway 237
             {ASCII map below}
Cost:        FREE for members; $4 for non-members.
             No reservations needed.

For additional information contact:
Lew Lee, TRW ASG Sunnyvale
408-743-4299 ext 5090
lew@svl.trw.com

    ***************************************************
    *       To properly view this announcement,       *
    *   use a small monospace font such as courier.   *
    ***************************************************

                         --<< >>--

September Program: Tuesday, September 12  -- To Be Announced

                         --<< >>--

Visit us on the World Wide Web:
            http://www.relay.net/~lew/sfbac.html

                         --<< >>--

ASCII Map (send fax number to Lew Lee for a graphical map)

** Driveway entrances on Whisman and Ferguson shown as "=>" **

                                     to Hwy 101
     |                                   ||
     |                                   ||
     |            Middlefield            ||
  ---+-----------------------------------++--------
     |                                   ||
   W |                                   || H      +
   h |                                   || w     /|\
   i |                                   || y      |
   s |                                   ||        |
   m |                                   || 2    North
   a |                                   || 3      |
   n |                                   || 7      |
     |                                   ||
     |      Parking                      ||
     |                                  /||_
     |             Lobby               / || |
     |     +-----+   |   +----+      <=| || |
     |     |Bldg |   |   |Bldg|        | || |
     |     | 7   |   |   | 6  |        | || |
     |=>   +-----+ <-+   +----+      <=| || |
     |                                 | || | Ravendale
     |    Bldg 5,3    Bldg 4           | || |
   __|=>                             <=| || |
  /  |                     Ferguson -->| || |
  |  |    Bldg 2      Bldg 1           | || |
 =+====================================+=||=+======
             Central Expressway          ||
                                         ||
                                         ||

NCOSE visitors will enter through the front of Building 7.
Please park in the back and walk around between Bldg 6 and
7 to the front of 7.
Additional parking is available in the lot between
Buildings 6, 5, and 4.

Handicapped Parking close to the lobby is available in the
lot between Bldgs 7 and 5.  Additional access information is
available by contacting Lew Lee.

Suggested Driving Directions:
East on Central Expressway -- exit at Whisman.
West on Central Expressway -- exit at Ferguson or Whisman.
South on Hwy 237 -- exit at Ferguson Drive (exit 0.2 miles
  after Middlefield intersection).
North on Hwy 237 -- exit at Ravendale and make a right turn
  to Central Expressway, then right onto Ferguson.

                         --<< >>--