Introduction to Systems Engineering

University of New South Wales via Coursera

Go to class Write review

Details

Go to class

Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

19 hours 26 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

Arabic, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Kazakh, Hindi, Swedish, Korean, Greek, Chinese, Thai, Ukrainian, Japanese, Indonesian, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Hungarian, Bengali, Pashto, Urdu, Azerbaijani, Farsi

Found in

Overview

Coursera Flash Sale

40% Off Coursera Plus for 3 Months!

Grab it

Gain a foundational understanding of Systems Engineering, essential for the successful development of complex systems. This course guides you through the system design and life cycle, from initial design and architecture to development, production, and ongoing management. Understand how system components interact and contribute to project goals, ensuring operational success and effective risk management. This course is for individuals interested in understanding how complex systems are developed and implemented. It benefits professionals in project management, program management, engineering, QA, operations, and management roles, as well as those in logistic support and maintenance. By the end of this course, you will be able to: * Explain the system life cycle, from design to management. * Identify how system components interrelate and contribute to project success. * Understand core systems engineering terminology. * Apply foundational concepts for developing and implementing complex systems. No specific background is required. This course welcomes learners with all levels of interest and experience, supporting your learning journey.

Syllabus

Systems and Their Life Cycle

Welcome to 'Introduction to Systems Engineering'! This module starts your learning journey with a course introduction video. You will understand what defines a system, focusing on human-made systems central to systems engineering. We then cover the broad phases of a system's life cycle: from identifying needs and exploring options to functional design, physical design, detailed design, construction, utilization, and retirement. This foundational knowledge is crucial for managing any complex project. By the end, you will identify system characteristics and life cycle stages. To succeed, watch the video first for a course overview.

Systems Engineering: Impact and Value

This module describes systems engineering, outlining its relevance and benefits. You will understand what systems engineering means and gain a framework for the course's major processes and activities. This approach offers advantages for any project. By the end, you will explain the discipline of systems engineering and its real-world benefits. To get the most from this module, consider how these concepts apply to projects you know.

Defining Project Needs and Requirements

Before diving into detailed systems engineering activities, this module focuses on system needs and requirements. You will examine how business management, business operations, and systems designers view these requirements. We also cover requirements engineering, the process for developing a clear set of requirements. This is vital for successful project outcomes. By the end, you will define system needs and requirements and understand requirements engineering. To prepare, consider a project you know and its initial requirements.

Eliciting and Elaborating Design Requirements

This module explores requirements engineering, covering how requirements are elicited and formally defined through elaboration. You will learn about simple requirements engineering tools and their practical uses. We also examine traceability, ensuring you track each requirement's origin and relationships. This is vital for clear project scope and successful outcomes. By the end, you will understand requirements elicitation, elaboration, tools, and traceability, preparing you for the mid-course exam. To succeed, practice using the tools discussed.

Conceptual Design Approaches

This module covers Conceptual Design, where you translate business and stakeholder needs into a system-level understanding. You will determine what the system must do, its performance, and how it interacts with other systems to meet requirements. We then explore system-level synthesis, making high-level design decisions before preparing for preliminary and detailed design. This early design phase is critical for successful project outcomes. By the end, you will understand conceptual design and system synthesis. To prepare, think about how initial ideas become concrete plans.

Preliminary and Detailed Design Strategies

Building on Conceptual Design, this module focuses on detailed design decisions. During preliminary design, you will identify subsystems, their functions, and inter-relationships. We address key questions like sourcing subsystems or designing them from scratch. For subsystems needing design or modification, we cover the detailed design process and tools like prototyping, which refine the design. This stage is crucial for successful project implementation. By the end, you will understand preliminary and detailed design processes and prototyping. To succeed, consider how these design choices impact a system's final form.

Construction, Production, and Operations

Following detailed design, this module covers system construction and production. You will examine critical systems engineering activities like configuration audits and system verification. We then explore the utilization phase, where systems engineering supports modification and upgrade projects. Finally, we address issues related to system disposal or retirement. This module highlights the continuous role of systems engineering throughout a system's life. By the end, you will understand construction, utilization, and retirement phases. To succeed, consider the long-term implications of system decisions.

Managing Systems Engineering Projects

In this final module, you will explore key management issues in systems engineering to maintain balance and control. We cover verification and validation management, configuration management, technical risk management, and managing technical reviews. We also introduce alternative development strategies like incremental and evolutionary approaches, contrasting them with the waterfall method used in this course. The module concludes by emphasizing planning and the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP). By the end, you will understand critical management aspects for successful systems engineering programs. To succeed, consider how these management tools apply to complex projects.

Course Completion and Future Learning Paths

You have completed the modules! This final section prepares you for the final exam that assesses your understanding of advanced design, construction, and management principles in systems engineering. To succeed, review all materials from these modules. We also want to share information about the Master of Systems Engineering program offered by UNSW Canberra, which can be completed online. Entry pathways are available for those with or without a first degree.

Taught by

Mike Ryan and Ian Faulconbridge

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 6 Class Central reviews

4.7 rating at Coursera based on 832 ratings

Start your review of Introduction to Systems Engineering

It21505676 Herath H. M. R. V. H.

Course Review: Introduction to Systems Engineering I recently completed the "Introduction to Systems Engineering" course offered by the University of New South Wales via Coursera, and I must say it was a highly informative and valuable learning exp…

Course Review: Introduction to Systems Engineering

I recently completed the "Introduction to Systems Engineering" course offered by the University of New South Wales via Coursera, and I must say it was a highly informative and valuable learning experience. This course provided a comprehensive introduction to the field of systems engineering, covering both theoretical concepts and practical applications.

The course content was well-structured and organized, making it easy to follow along and grasp the key principles of systems engineering. It started by introducing the fundamental concepts and principles of systems thinking, emphasizing the importance of considering the system as a whole rather than focusing solely on its individual components. The instructors did an excellent job of explaining complex ideas in a clear and concise manner, ensuring that even those new to the subject could understand and apply the concepts effectively.

One aspect of the course that stood out to me was the inclusion of real-world case studies and examples. These case studies provided practical insights into how systems engineering is applied in various industries and sectors. By examining real-life examples, I gained a deeper understanding of how systems engineering principles can be implemented to address complex problems and optimize system performance.

The course also covered various tools and techniques used in systems engineering, such as system modeling, requirements analysis, risk management, and system integration. Each topic was explained thoroughly, and practical exercises and quizzes helped reinforce the learning material. The course provided a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.

Another highlight of this course was the availability of discussion forums and peer-to-peer interaction. The forums allowed learners to ask questions, share insights, and engage in discussions with fellow participants. This interactive aspect greatly enhanced the learning experience and provided opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Overall, I highly recommend the "Introduction to Systems Engineering" course to anyone interested in gaining a solid foundation in systems engineering principles and practices. The course content is relevant and up-to-date, the instructors are knowledgeable and engaging, and the learning resources provided are comprehensive and valuable. Whether you are a student, a professional seeking to enhance your skills, or simply curious about systems engineering, this course offers an excellent learning opportunity.
Chad Condon
2
John Walsh
35
Menoukate Oussama
1
Ravneet Kaur
Matthew Imakyure