49004 Systems Engineering for Managers

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2017 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Systems, Management and Leadership
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

In the multidisciplinary process of problem solving in engineering, systems engineering is seen as a unifying discipline. Drawing on contemporary scholarship and best practice, the philosophy, concepts, techniques and tools of the systems engineering process are examined in the context of engineering management, and their domain of applicability explored. The subject provides extensive opportunity for individual and group encounter with the challenges of the systems approach, and is illustrated by case studies and examples considered in the subject. Guest lecturers provide connections of the material studied with engineering practice.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Demonstrate the significance of systems thinking and concepts to engineering?practice?and management
2.	Explain systems approaches closely identified with the engineering discipline, the issues continually reshaping them under best?practice?imperatives, and their distinctive assumptions
3.	Recognise the problem domains in which the structured goal-oriented decision-making processes of hard (vis-?-vis?soft) systems engineering and life-cycle perspectives are most applicable
4.	Distinguish contrasting ideas and approaches of soft systems engineering in the management of complex organisational issues, and the opportunities in engineering management to merge hard and soft approaches
5.	Benchmark personal experience of systems?practice?and management
6.	Select and apply techniques and tools for dealing with complexity and uncertainty in the creation and/or sustenance of engineering systems
7.	Adapt and apply appropriate methodologies of systems engineering to the challenges of engineering management and their professional circumstances.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:

• Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
• Identify constraints, uncertainties and risk of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.3)
• Apply systems thinking to understand complex system behaviour including interactions between components and with other systems (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.5)
• Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
• Demonstrate research skills (B.6)
• Develop models using appropriate tools such as computer software, laboratory equipment and other devices (C.2)
• Be aware of global perspectives (needs, rules/regulations, and specifications) (F.4)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering Practice should note that this subject contributes to the assurance of Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies: 1.5, 1.6, 2.3, 2.4.

Teaching and learning strategies

Students have the opportunity to study the subject in standard mode with weekly attendance at class, or in distance mode at their own pace throughtout the session, guided by the subject outline, the session program. UTSOnline is accessed prior to classes where slides coupled with audio as well as videos are provided to facilitate student learning. These online materials are used in class where key points of each topic being discussed are highlighted and students can then collaboratively explore them. Students read and interact with UTSOnline to come to class and collaborate on real life situations such as case studies which are used as a basis for exercises in class.Student attendance in class is recorded for standard and block mode students. Distance mode student engagement is via the discussion boards on UTSOnline. This subject is available in Autumn and Spring semesters in standard and distance modes. Classes in the Summer Session, when available, are in Block mode, and the students are expected to study the subject material on their own outside of the lecture blocks.

Student learning is facilitated by a combination of:

1. Active learning tasks set prior to class meetings, allowing students to engage with the material and consolidate their learning. Distance mode students will be able to collaborate using the special discussion boards set up for this purpose on UTSOnline.

2. Class meetings combining blended lectures that aim to expand on the material studied and to provide real-life context to the concepts. Opportunities to model some of the concepts are provided in the class meetings. Pre-meeting tasks are considered collaboratively to reinforce, and reflect on, their learning.

3. Assesment designed to provide formative feedback as well as allowing students to practice some of the concepts covered in the context of real-life situations presented as cases. This is done via the RME exercises. Students will work on these collaboratively in class and get feedback from the facilitators. Students will then individually compose their responses to the exercises and submit them online.

4. Consultation directly after class meetings and by appointments at other times, as well as through the use of UTSOnline Discussion Boards and email.

Content (topics)

Topics covered in the subject include:

• Systems concepts and Systems Thinking;
• Hard and soft systems practice;
• System Dynamics:
  • Causal loop modelling;
  • Dynamic modelling;
  • System Archetypes;
• Systems Engineering as a structured life cycle process:
  • Requirements Engineering;
  • Functional Analysis and allocation;
  • Synthesis;
  • Systems Engineering Specialities;
  • Systems Engineering Management;
    • Systems Engineering Standards;
    • Systems Analysis;
    • Integrated Logistics Support;
    • Life Cycle Cost and effectiveness; and,
    • Related system disciplines, including concurrent engineering, software engineering and contemporary systems thinking in business.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Group Assignment

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.6, C.2 and F.4
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	30%
Length:	It is expected that your report shall be less than 10 pages, though this will vary depending upon your approach to the problem and issues. Reference list and coversheets are not included in this count. The assignment should have no appendix.
Criteria:	A Marking guide will be provided via UTSOnline. This guide should be attached to your assignment response submissions, and feedback will be provided to you through this, generally within 2 weeks after your submission. SPARK, a peer assessment tool, will be used to moderate the Group marks to allocate the marks to individuals with the group.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Correctness of diagramming and notation 30 1, 6 A.5, C.2 Evidence of systems thinking application design 40 2, 5 A.5, F.4 Evidence of research beyond course materials 30 1, 2 B.6, F.4 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Individual Assignment

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.3, A.5, B.1, C.2 and F.4
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	20%
Length:	Your report should not be longer than 4 pages plus diagrams, though this will vary depending upon your approach to the problem and issues. Reference list and coversheets are not included in this count. The assignment should have no appendix.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Correctness of diagrams and notation 30 1, 2 A.1, A.5 Consistency and coherency of design 15 2, 7 B.1, F.4 Evidence of systems approaches to design 40 2, 7 A.1, C.2 Correct requirement management 15 6, 7 A.3, A.5 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Class Participation

Intent:	This assessment is intended to allow students to critically engage with the material covered in this subject throughout the session. Through pre-reading and collaborative discussions in class meetings, or the discussion boards, the students formulate their responses to questions designed to encourage reflective learning.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.5, B.1, B.6, C.2 and F.4
Type:	Exercises
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	10%
Length:	Except for questions requiring numerical solutions, you are to restrict your responses to a maximum of 2 pages for each RME. For example, if an RME has multiple parts (a, b, c etc.) then your TOTAL response to the whole RME must fit within the 2 pages limit.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Evidence of critical engagement with class material 25 1, 2, 3, 4 A.5, B.1, B.6, F.4 Evidence of recognition of life cycle issues and approaches 25 4, 5 B.6, F.4 Evidence of application of appropriate techniques 25 5, 6 B.1, B.6 Correctness of solutions to numerical problems 25 6 B.1, C.2 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Final Exam

Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.3, A.5, B.1 and F.4
Type:	Examination
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	40%
Length:	2 Hours plus 10 minutes reading time.
Criteria linkages:	Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Correctness/relevance of solutions 100 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 A.1, A.3, A.5, B.1, F.4 SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

In order to pass this subject you must pass the final examination, as well as obtain an overall mark of 50% in the subject. If you obtain a mark >= 50% for the subject, but have failed in the compulsory item, you will be awarded a Fail (X) grade for the subject.

Required texts

Title: Systems Engineering and Analysis
Authors: Benjamin Blanchard and Wolter Fabrycky
Publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall
Edition: 5th

Students may obtain the textbook from the Co-op Bookshop at 3 Broadway, City Campus. The bookshop is open 7 days a week: Monday to Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

The Co-op will also mail you the book: order through www.coop-bookshop.com.au phone (02) 9212 3078 or fax (02) 9212 6303. Please have ready your credit card details, your student ID number and Co-op number if you are a member. They will charge you the cost of the book as well as postage by express post.

The Learning Resource Material (LRM)
The LRM contains a number of Readings to supplement the set text, and guidance for your study of the material. The readings serve to amplify points in the text, illustrate a different emphasis or cover material not covered adequately by the text. They are made up of copies of journal papers or portions of key books and are written by acknowledged experts in the field. These readings are important to obtain a rounded understanding of the subject. Students can obtain the readings via the link to the library's e-readings. This link is available within the UTS Online Learning Resource Material folder. You should let the LRM guide your study and reading in this subject. The Study Guide available in the Learning Resource Material folder in UTS Online provides this guidance.

The Lecture Support Notes (LSN)
The lecture support notes are provided as a resource additional to the Text and the LRM, and consist of copies of the overhead slides used in the lectures. They will be available via UTS Online. The LSN should not be used as the main focus of your learning.

References

For a list of useful references please refer to the UTS Online References folder.

Other resources

UTS Online: http://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login

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This subject makes use of UTSOnline as a means of communication between teaching staff and students. You should be registered automatically if you have enrolled correctly. If you do not want to receive emails at your default UTS email account then you should forward emails to your preferred email address.

Students need to familiarise themselves with UTSOnline. Announcements will be made using this facility. Students are expected to regularly check the announcements page for information.

Having problems logging on? Service Desk is the first point of contact for staff, students, and the general community in relation to Student Centre inquiries, the IT Support Centre and Audio Visual Services: https://servicedesk.uts.edu.au

Note, use the login button if you are an existing student or staff member; use your student or staff number with your UTS Access (email) password to login. Guest login is for all other customers. Service Desk is unavailable from 2–3am weekdays and 2–6am Sunday for backups and scheduled maintenance.

You will need to log in to UTSOnline each time you use it.

Your user name is your student number. If you are a new user, your password is the first two letters of your family name (IN CAPITALS) followed by your student number. You can change this password at any time.