Introductory description

To provide the learner with sufficient understanding of the nature of complex systems and how they can be designed and managed so that they can apply this to any engineering context, either as designers, managers or operators, but initially in their work-place. Furthermore, to provide them with a greater understanding of the inter-connectedness of complex engineered systems and the environment in which they operate, including the physical, political and societal dimensions.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Systems and their composition: Sytems Thinking; complexity, reduction
• Engineered Systems & Systems Engineering: Systems Engineering (SE); the SE process, Requirements Analysis and Concept Development.
• Tools and Techniques: system function modelling, user interaction modelling, the use of modelling in general.
• Open Systems: emergence, system boundary, engineering systems in their environment.
• General Systems Principles: requirements, specification, development.
• Soft Systems: Human-activity systems, safety systems and regulation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify fundamental characteristics of systems in industrial/engineering contexts.
• Apply structured methods to manage the complexity inherent in most engineered systems when defining system requirements.
• Evaluate how different stakeholder perspectives can be accommodated within an engineering system problem.
• Analyse the structure, capabilities and limitations of an existing system within their engineering sector.

Indicative reading list

Blanchard, B.S., System Engineering Management, Wiley, 4th ed. 2008 [T.352.B5] ISBN
9781601199430 (electronic bk.)

Johnson, N., Simply Complexity, OneWorld, 2012. ISBN 9781780740492 (electronic bk.)

Hitchens, D.K., Systems Engineering: A 21st Century Systems Methodology, Wiley, 2007 [online] ISBN
9780470518755 (electronic bk.)

Kossiakoff et al. Systems Engineering Principles and Practice, Wiley, 2011 [TA168.K6 and online] ISBN 9781118001011 (electronic bk.)

Perrow, C. Normal Accidents, Princeton University Press, 2011 [online] ISBN 9781400828494

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Identifying and describing systems;
Distinguishing systems from products and tools;
Appreciating the importance of people to the success of systems.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking,
Problem solving,
Self-awareness,
Communication,
Information literacy (research skills),
Organisational awareness
Systems thinking