bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent association of PD‐L1 expression with noninactivated VHL clear cell renal cell carcinoma—A finding with therapeutic potential
Authors: Kammerer‐Jacquet Solène‐Florence , Crouzet Laurence , Brunot Angélique , Dagher Julien , Pladys Adélaïde , Edeline Julien , Laguerre Brigitte , Peyronnet Benoit , Mathieu Romain , Verhoest Grégory , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Lespagnol Alexandra , Mosser Jean , Denis Marc , Messai Yosra , Gad‐Lapiteau Sophie , Chouaib Salem , Belaud‐Rotureau Marc‐Antoine , Bensalah Karim , Rioux‐Leclercq Nathalie
Published: September 2016

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive tumor that is characterized in most cases by inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene VHL. The VHL/HIF/VEGF pathway thus plays a major role in angiogenesis and is currently targeted by anti‐angiogenic therapy. The emergence of resistance is leading to the use of targeted immunotherapy against immune checkpoint PD1/PDL1 that restores antitumor immune response. The correlation between VHL status and PD‐L1 expression has been little investigated. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 98 consecutive cases of ccRCC and correlated PD‐L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with clinical data (up to 10‐year follow‐up), pathological criteria, VEGF, PAR‐3, CAIX and PD‐1 expressions by IHC and complete VHL status (deletion, mutation and promoter hypermethylation). PD‐L1 expression was observed in 69 ccRCC (70.4%) and the corresponding patients had a worse prognosis, with a median specific survival of 52 months (p = 0.03). PD‐L1 expression was significantly associated with poor prognostic factors such as a higher ISUP nucleolar grade (p = 0.01), metastases at diagnosis (p = 0.01), a sarcomatoid component (p = 0.04), overexpression of VEGF (p = 0.006), and cytoplasmic PAR‐3 expression (p = 0.01). PD‐L1 expression was also associated with dense PD‐1 expression (p = 0.007) and with ccRCC with 0 or 1 alteration(s) (non‐inactivated VHL tumors; p = 0.007) that remained significant after multivariate analysis (p = 0.004 and p = 0.024, respectively). Interestingly, all wild‐type VHL tumors (no VHL gene alteration, 11.2%) expressed PD‐L1. In this study, we found PD‐L1 expression to be associated with noninactivated VHL tumors and in particular wild‐type VHL ccRCC, which may benefit from therapies inhibiting PD‐L1/PD‐1.
Towards a Quantitative Framework for Evaluating the Expressive Power of Conceptual System Models
Authors: Mordecai Yaniv , Dori Dov
Published: September 2016

Conceptual models describe, explain, and specify the function, concept, structure, and behavior of complex systems. Quantifying the contribution of conceptual models to stakeholder understanding of the systems‐of‐interest has been a great challenge. This difficulty has hindered justifying the use of formal modeling and simulation of complex systems and the adoption of a holistic model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) approach. The informativity of a model is the value of the information it conveys. Conceptual system model informativity is a key performance indicator for MBSE. We introduce MIA – Model Informativity Analysis – a quantitative, utility‐based, prescriptive approach for boosting conceptual models’ expressive power and measuring the value of the information they provide. We define an integrated informativity index, “I3“, which aggregates model scores of diverse informativity‐enhancing factors. We demonstrate various aspects of MIA with Object Process Methodology, OPM – a model‐based systems engineering paradigm and ISO‐19450 standard. OPM caters to quantitative informativity analysis due its formality, comprehensive function‐structure‐behavior modeling, and bimodal equivalent graphical‐textual representation.
Explicating System Value through First Principles: Re‐Uniting Decision Analysis with Systems Engineering
Authors: Peterson Troy , Schindel Bill
Published: September 2016

System complexity continues to grow, creating many new challenges for engineers and decision makers. To maximize value delivery, “both” Systems Engineering and Decision Analysis are essential. The systems engineering profession has had a significant focus on improving systems engineering processes. While process plays an important role, the focus on process was often at the expense of foundational engineering axioms and their contribution to system value. As a consequence, Systems Engineers were viewed as process developers and managers versus technical leaders with a deep understanding of how system interactions are linked to stakeholder value‥ With the recent shift toward Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Systems Engineering is “getting back to basics,” focusing on value delivery via first principles, using established laws of engineering and science. This paper describes how Pattern Based Systems Engineering (PBSE), as outlined within INCOSE's Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) initiative, explicates system value through modeling of first principles, re‐uniting Systems Engineering and Decision Analysis capabilities.
The U.S. Department of the Navy's Systems Engineering Career Competency Model: Identification of Proficiency Levels and Career Path Modeling
Authors: Khan Rabia , Whitcomb Clifford A. , White Corina , Grambow Dana , Delgado Jessica
Published: September 2016

The United States (US) Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, is sponsoring an initiative led by a team from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), to implement an overall approach to study and develop a systems engineering career competency model (SECCM). The initiative is significant as recent studies into career development models have found that firms are searching for individuals who possess both technical and non‐technical competencies. Competencies are defined as the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a systems engineer to perform tasks related to the discipline. NPS is working with the US Office of Personnel Management and the US Navy, to develop proficiency levels and to perform career path modeling. SECCM competencies are partitioned into a series of career development points, to allow for a competency based approach towards career development. This paper describes the development of proficiency levels and career path modeling capabilities, as aligned with the SECCM.
The Generalized Reuse Framework – Strategies and the Decision Process for Planned Reuse
Authors: Wang Gan
Published: September 2016

The Generalized Reuse Framework is a strategic reuse model for systems engineering management that addresses both investment and leverage of reuse through two interrelated and interacting processes: Development with Reuse (DWR) and Development for Reuse (DFR). This paper summarizes the latest development of this framework from three different angles – taxonomy of reuse, the DWR and DFR categories, reuse strategies and decision processes as applied to incremental system development and product line engineering through a set of planned reuse scenarios.
Developing Strategic Systemic solutions to complex problems in the UK Defence Enterprise
Authors: Wilkinson Mike , Jordan Chris , Currie Fleur
Published: September 2016

This paper describes the use of an open innovation/collaboration model to provide strategic systemic solutions to complex problems in UK Defence. The model in question is the one evolved over time by the Niteworks Partnership, which was established in 2003 and now has over 160 organisational members drawn from government, academia and industry. One of the key principles of the model is ‘exploitation’, namely the capture and management of foreground ‘intellectual capital’ created within projects for subsequent re‐use by members of the Partnership. The volume and breadth of project activities, coupled with an enduring core team of technical experts, facilitates the identification of recurring problem types and solution approaches, which in some cases can be synthesised to address underlying root causes. An ever‐changing project portfolio supports testing and refinement of the developed approaches and helps to build a solid body of evidence for their efficacy. Although this process has been developed in the context of the UK Defence enterprise, it is applicable more generally. Furthermore, the strategic systemic methods emerging from the process are in themselves relevant to many domains. This paper presents the approach to developing strategic systemic solutions and describes specific methods emerging from this process, including: Continuous Capability Evolution; Styles of Architecting; Complex System Interventions, and; Capability Coherence.
Quantifying System Complexity in Design Phase Using Higraph‐Based Models
Authors: Aboutaleb Hycham , Monsuez Bruno
Published: September 2016

The exponential growing effort, cost and time investment of complex systems in design phase emphasize the need for a methodology, a framework and an environment to handle the system model complexity. For that, it is necessary to be able to measure the system model complexity. This paper highlights the requirements a model needs to fulfill to match human user expectations, presents a generic framework for designing complex systems, and suggests a graph‐based formalism for modeling complex systems. Finally, a way to measure system model structural complexity based on Shannon theory of information is proposed and illustrated with an example.
A practical example of a software factory: building a custom application for analysing EU Cyber Physical System (CPS) projects using Open Source software components
Authors: Palmer P. J. , Sinclair M. A. , Siemieniuch C. E. , De Henshaw M. J.
Published: September 2016

This paper is a retrospective analysis describing the development of a custom tool to organise data snippets derived from a substantial body of information, and a summary of the insights that this means of analysis provided in a very short time scale. The creation of data driven visualisations are of particular interest as they uncovered more cross‐domain aspects of Cyber‐Physical Systems projects than expert opinion had anticipated. These findings will be discussed fully in a second paper.

The focus here is the development of the “Vulture” data scavenging tool using Open Source software as system components to create a custom application to serve the data collection and analysis requirements of a REA (Rapid Evidence Assessment) work‐package within an EU funded project, Road2CPS.
SkiPo – a sketch and flow based model to develop mechanical systems
Authors: Grundel Martin , Abulawi Jutta
Published: September 2016

This paper introduces a new hybrid model for the development of mechatronic and mechanical systems which can be used to bridge the mental gap between the abstract definition of a functional system architecture and the geometry‐oriented three‐dimensional computer‐aided design process. This model, called SkiPo model, defines interfaces between system components in terms of material, energy and information flow and combines this abstract approach with sketches visualizing important design decisions in a structured, semi‐standardized way. The objective of this hybrid modeling approach is to support the inevitable iteration between abstract and very detailed viewpoints of a mechatronic or mechanical system in the early stages of the development process.
A Cognitive Journey for Requirements Engineering
Authors: Feldman Yishai A. , Broodney Henry
Published: September 2016

The classical systems engineering practice is mostly process centric, but with the recent advances in Information Technologies, we have started to engage in model‐based and other software‐supported activities that make us more efficient and our products better. The subject of this paper is a pursuit of further improvements in the software tools supporting the systems engineers, this time an attempt to transform the regular textual requirements into computer‐readable artifacts that will enable software tools to better analyze a requirement set and to automate cross‐lifecycle exchange of information leading to increased automation and higher quality.

The paper starts by describing an experiment targeted at requirements formalization, continues with the insights gained from the experiment, and finishes with the insights that the authors have reached on a reasonable and incremental roadmap to a fully synergetic interaction between Requirements Engineers and their supporting tools.
Maintenance Optimization Approaches for Condition Based Maintenance: a review and analysis
Authors: Machado Mario Marcondes , Haskins Cecilia
Published: September 2016

This study contains a preliminary review of recent maintenance optimization applications, collected from different industries. The idea is to meet and discuss promising approaches, implementation aspects and critical elements, in order to provide guidance for further research. Starting from a set of applications, analyzed under a systems engineering approach, the study proposes a conceptual map to represent the ontology of condition‐based maintenance programs and suggests some guidelines for developing an implementation plan.
Helping Undergraduate Students of any Engineering Discipline Develop a Systems Perspective
Authors: Simoni Mario , Andrijcic Eva , Kline Bill , Bernal Ashley
Published: September 2016

The complexity of problems that engineers are being asked to solve is increasing rapidly. Effective solutions often require the integration of mechanical, electrical, computer software, chemical, and/or biological components. In order to manage this complexity, it is becoming important for all engineering students to learn how to approach the solutions to these problems using a systems perspective (Baldwin 2014). In order to better motivate this approach to students the authors are introducing it within courses of their own engineering discipline. The authors are adapting traditional systems engineering concepts to create a framework of system models that can be introduced into courses of any engineering discipline at any level. Through the process of learning how to create these models, students gain an understanding of what is meant by a systems perspective and how this perspective can help them to solve problems. This paper discusses which systems models were incorporated into undergraduate curriculum and how each model is broken‐down into pieces that are easier for undergraduates to understand and faculty to teach.
Introducing MBSE By using Systems Engineering Principles
Authors: Hallqvist Jonas , Larsson Jonas
Published: September 2016

This paper describes one possible way how to introduce MBSE into an organization. It is based on a real example from a development organisation in aerospace industry. In this example the start of the introduction of MBSE had an innovative enthusiasm, thereafter followed by stagnation of progress. A change in point‐of‐view on why MBSE should be used was made and as a consequence the entire work methodology was considered a Development Enabling system. At this point Systems Engineering principles were applied in order to determine the need and to find a solution. A description of pitfalls and other lessons are included but it will not cover application of SysML or any architectural frameworks. One point in this paper is that introducing MBSE is not a technical task, it is a change process affecting a very complex system where the most important system elements are humans.
Testing of Autonomous Systems – Challenges and Current State‐of‐the‐Art
Authors: Helle Philipp , Schamai Wladimir , Strobel Carsten
Published: September 2016

Autonomous systems are on the rise. However, the challenge to test autonomous systems to ensure their safe and fault‐free behaviour is not solved yet. This is especially critical when we consider the fact that autonomous systems are often safety‐critical systems envisaged to interact with humans without explicit human supervision. This paper points out why testing autonomous systems is such a challenge and provides an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art theory and practice. The gathered information is then condensed into guiding points for the way forward.
Towards the Automation of Model‐Based Design Verification
Authors: Schamai Wladimir , Helle Philipp , Albarello Nicolas , Buffoni Lena , Fritzson Peter
Published: September 2016

Modeling and simulation of complex systems is at the heart of any modern engineering activity. Engineers strive to predict the behavior of the system under development in order to get answers to particular questions long before physical prototypes or the actual system are built and can be tested in real life. One of the critical questions is whether a particular system design fulfills or violates requirements imposed on the system under development. In this paper, we discuss an approach to model‐based design verification by simulating system dynamic behavior including formalized requirements. We illustrate the approach on a case study – the verification of a new design for flight control surfaces activation against requirements. The contributions of this paper are the evaluation of a new requirements formalization approach using the recently developed Modelica Requirements Library, and the discussion of solutions for automating the simulation model composition.
Concurrent Structured Analysis SE method applied to a solar irradiance monitor satellite
Authors: Maria Rodrigo Britto , Fraulob Halph Macedo , Chiaki Adrielle , Coronel M. Gabriel G. , Rohling Adair , Loureiro Geilson
Published: September 2016

The traditional Systems Engineering approach on systems development leans toward the product in development, in all levels of abstraction, while the traditional concurrent engineering approach focuses on both product and organization simultaneous development, although considering only lower levels of abstraction. For complex systems, the Concurrent Structured Analysis method is a better fit for the SE process, since it considers both the product and organization simultaneous development, in all levels of abstraction. The underlying concepts of this method were applied to the development of a solar irradiance monitor satellite. Several analyses were performed on selected scenarios of the system life cycle processes to exemplify the application of the concepts. The final outcome was a proposal design of the product and the organization needed to implement its life cycle processes. It was noted that the same scenario can influence the product and the organization, both requiring to be considered in the analysis.
Product Line Thinking – Applying System Thinking to Product Lines
Authors: Le Put Alain
Published: September 2016

This paper describes the problems encountered when implementing Product Lines. It reminds what the System Thinking approach is and the way it already has been used to solve problems related to System Engineering. System thinking proves to be very efficient to solve the problems arising both when setting up of a product line and when working in a product line organization. The “Product Line Thinking” definition may be then proposed as a new concept. One of the three business cases addresses the deployment of product lines to Very Small and Medium Enterprises (VSME).
Merit of Adaptable Pairing as an Agile Systems Engineering Knowledge Management Practice
Authors: Leroux Chris , Dove Rick
Published: September 2016

Driven by customer demands and global competition, systems engineers often experience dramatic project shifts and rapid technological advances that can place great strains on an engineering organization. In addition, project teams also deal with changing personnel, mistakes or rework, and slow engineering response times to unplanned needs. These external and internal factors can lead to reduced quality, increased costs, and slipped schedules. An effective knowledge management architecture is a necessity in today's engineering environment, and should be treated as an important project activity. Due to constantly evolving projects and project teams, knowledge management must be able to adapt based on current needs and resources. The purpose of this paper is to present knowledge management issues that must be addressed during an engineering project, and to propose a useful operational architecture for knowledge management. This architecture will provide an image of how agile knowledge management can be used by systems engineers to counter the turbulence in today's technical work forces, and how it can be integrated into existing organizational structures. The proposed architecture is best described as adaptable pairing, where two or more individuals engage in knowledge sharing and assignment swapping to complete a specific project task. The pairing architecture will address three common knowledge management problems that may negatively impact project quality, cost, and schedule – uninformed decision making, lengthy response delays, and rework. Intents and traits of adaptable pairing may be appropriate for any industry, however, evidence will focus primarily on technology industries engaged in contract projects. Historical evidence of successful pairing in the world of software engineering is presented at the end of the paper.
Introduction to the Agile Systems Engineering Life Cycle MBSE Pattern
Authors: Schindel Bill , Dove Rick
Published: September 2016

Engineered and other systems are under pressure to adapt, from opportunities or competition, predators, changing environment, and physical or cyberattack. Ability to adapt well enough as conditions change, especially in presence of uncertainty, is valued. Systems (including developmental and life cycle management) that adapt well enough, in time, cost, and effectiveness, are sometimes called “agile”. As environmental change or uncertainty increase, agility can mean survival. Agile systems and agile systems engineering are subjects of an INCOSE 2015‐16 discovery project, described elsewhere. This paper introduces the underlying MBSE‐based Agile Systems Engineering Life Cycle Pattern being used to capture, analyze, and communicate key aspects of systems being studied. More than an ontology, this model helps us understand necessary and sufficient conditions for agility, different approaches to it, and underlying relationships, performance couplings, and principles. This paper introduces the framework, while specific findings about methods and practicing enterprises studied will be reported separately.
Painting Systems: From Art to Systems Architecting
Authors: Salado Alejandro , Iandoli Luca , Zollo Giuseppe
Published: September 2016

Systems engineering has successfully contributed to develop complex systems in industries such as defense, space, energy, or transportation. Systems in those industries have in common their engineered or socio‐technical natures. However, systems engineering has been understood for a long time as both an art and a science. As a matter of fact, principles and practices of systems engineering have been exhibited in the creation of film original score, a major artistic endeavor. Therefore, it is sensible to investigate if and how the similarities and differences between the application of systems engineering in the development of engineered systems and the pursue of artistic endeavors can help in improving the understanding and practice in both domains. Specifically, this paper discusses how the same concepts are applied in artistic painting and in system architecture to reduce complexity and achieve elegance.
Modeling‐Simulation‐Analysis‐Looping: 21st Century Game Changer
Authors: Marvin Joseph W. , Schmitz Jeffrey T. , Reed Robert A.
Published: September 2016

What if you could present to your boss and customers the expected performance characteristics of a new system in its target mission environment during concept development and before the first requirement or line of software is written? This paper follows up our IS 2014 paper, Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) in Complex System of Systems (SoS) Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Environments, and presents a new technique for system modeling and simulation that enhances insight and decision making based on quantified performance data. We describe how graph computing technology, readily available open source toolboxes and different systems thinking can “change the game” for systems engineers in the 21st Century.
Assessing System Development Risks
Authors: David Matthew
Published: September 2016

System development projects can fail for lots of different reasons. Those reasons may or may not have been predicted as risks during the development lifecycle. If they weren't predicted, then it is likely that the project team members lacked the level of competence necessary to deliver a system with that level of difficulty. If they were predicted, then it is likely that there was insufficient corporate governance (or assurance), which let the project continue through its lifecycle carrying too much risk. This paper will explore methods on the practical implications of:

‐ Assessing the level of system development difficulty.

‐ Allocating a team of sufficient competency.

‐ Identifying adequate resources.

‐ Tailoring an appropriate amount of governance.
Product System Families at Rolls‐Royce: A Case Study in Enterprise Transformation
Authors: Holt Jonathan , Brown David , Walker Andy
Published: September 2016

This case study describes the initial stages of Product System Families, a project to develop generic, reusable system design artefacts applicable to the complex systems with which Rolls‐Royce equips its aerospace products. Using the example of a gas turbine tip clearance control system, the system thinking behind Product System Families is outlined and the development of the generic artefacts themselves is described, together with the challenges of developing them within the fast‐moving, complex enterprise that is Rolls‐Royce's engineering function. The ultimate aim is to have much of the product design captured in a series of ‘house styles’ which represent the most advanced, optimized solution and can then be customized quickly and cost‐effectively to specific customer needs.
A framework for integrating reliability and systems engineering: proof‐of‐concept experiences
Authors: Hosseini Hossein Neizan , Welo Torgeir
Published: September 2016

Reliability plays a significant role in systems engineering. Adopting the reliability and systems engineering in the early system lifecycle may lead to better quality of the final product as well as more efficient usage of the resources use to launch the product. However, there is presently no concrete framework illustrating how reliability engineering can be integrated into the systems engineering life cycle. This article discusses the development of a new, integrated reliability and systems engineering framework. The approach has been applied in a case study in the form of a student project, including a multi‐disciplinary student team aiming to design, develop, build and validate the energy efficiency of a concept vehicle. Integrating traditional systems engineering strategies with reliability engineering best‐practices was found to significantly enhance not only the quality of the final product, but also to reduce the budget and time due to less late engineering changes and subsequent design iterations.
Exploring System Space with Graph Theory
Authors: Peterson Troy
Published: September 2016

As today's Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) become more and more complex they provide both incredible opportunity and risk. Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) provides organizations a timely opportunity to address the complexities of Cyber Physical Systems. MBSE tools, languages and methods are having a very positive impact but are still in a formative stage and continue to evolve. Moreover, the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) has proven to be a significant enabler to advance MBSE methods given its flexibility and expressiveness. Unfortunately the number of people who know SysML well is relatively small. To bring the full power of MBSE to the larger community, system models can be rendered in intuitive forms to support broad understanding of system models. More specifically, Graph Theory has proven to be very effective in the design, analysis, management, and integration of complex systems. Use of Graph Theory and dynamic visualization can help teams gain insights, build intuition and ultimately help speed the innovation process.
Interface Management for a NASA Flight Project using Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
Authors: Vipavetz Kevin , Shull Thomas A. , Infeld Samantha , Price Jim
Published: September 2016

The goal of interface management is to identify, define, control, and verify interfaces; ensure compatibility; provide an efficient system development; be on time and within budget; while meeting stakeholder requirements. This paper will present a successful seven‐step approach to interface management used in several prior NASA flight projects. The seven‐step approach using Model Based Systems Engineering will be illustrated by interface examples from the Materials International Space Station Experiment‐X (MISSE‐X) project. The MISSE‐X was being developed as an International Space Station (ISS) external platform for space environmental studies, designed to advance the technology readiness of materials and devices critical for future space exploration. Emphasis will be given to best practices covering key areas such as interface definition; writing good interface requirements; utilizing interface working groups; developing and controlling interface documents; handling interface agreements; the use of shadow documents; and the importance of interface requirement ownership, interface verification, and product transition.
Facilitating Collaborative Learning in Online Engineering Student Teams
Authors: Neill Colin J. , DeFranco Joanna F.
Published: September 2016

Team projects are commonplace in systems engineering education. They address a key educational objective, provide students critical experience relevant to their future careers, allow instructors to set problems of greater scale and complexity than could be tackled individually, and are a vehicle for socially constructed learning. While all student teams experience challenges, those in fully‐online programs must also deal with remote working, asynchronous coordination, and computer‐mediated communications all of which contribute to greater social distance between team members. We have developed a facilitation framework to aid team collaboration and have demonstrated its efficacy, in prior research, with respect to team performance and outcomes. Those studies indicated, however, that despite experiencing improved project outcomes, students working in effective teams did not experience significantly improved individual achievement. To address this deficiency we implemented theoretically‐grounded refinements to the collaboration model based upon peer‐tutoring research. Our results indicate a modest, but statistically significant, improvement in individual achievement using this refined model.
UK Railway System Performance – Gaining Insight Through Systematic Analysis and Modelling
Authors: Hyland Bradley , Best Nigel , Toossi Amir , Bradford Amy
Published: September 2016

The British railway is one of the most complex mixed traffic railways in the world. Increasing patronage, and the need to improve performance, have led to industry research on how rail capacity could be better understood and utilised. Two recent studies conducted by Network Rail have focused on the Brighton Mainline as a whole railway system. By using systematic analysis and systems modelling these studies have provided new insight into ways of improving system performance. The results demonstrate for the first time, the significant benefit of both planning a timetable to accurately reflect the operational conditions of the railway and increasing precision across the system. It has made a compelling case for system change supported by modelled and observed evidence.
ISO/IEC 29110 Deployment Packages and Case Study for Systems Engineering: The “Not‐So‐Secret” Ingredients That Power the Standard
Authors: Houde Ronald , Laporte Claude Y. , Blondelle Gaël
Published: September 2016

Very small entities (VSEs) play an increasingly important role in the global economy. The products they develop are often integrated into products made by larger enterprises. Clients, furthermore, demand of the VSEs that they assume a much broader role, spanning the entire development life‐cycle of the product instead of being limited to a “build‐to‐print” approach. The ISO/IEC 29110 systems engineering management and engineering guides were developed mainly from ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 to address this new reality, to exploit the lean and efficient nature of VSEs and to adapt to their typical budget and resource constraints. By design, the management and engineering guide is supported by Deployment Packages (DP), the development of which was taken on by the INCOSE VSE Working Group. A DP is a set of artefacts designed to facilitate the implementation of the management and engineering guides of ISO/IEC 29110 by VSEs. In tune with the need for low cost and flexibility, Open Source software tools are emerging to support VSEs and provide a bridge with “Big League” development life‐cycle toolsets. Finally, to make the deployment of ISO/IEC 29110 possible in VSEs, training packages, supported by relevant pilot projects help VSE personnel learn how to apply all of the above. This paper describes the Systems Engineering DP for Requirements Engineering (RE DP) and shows how it can be applied using the Autonomous Rover Case Study developed under the Eclipse Foundation Polarsys project.
Technology planning approach for Very Small Entities
Authors: Buczacki Aleksander , Laporte Claude Y.
Published: September 2016

Systems engineering is usually seen as the domain of large enterprises. However, small and medium sized (SMEs) and micro‐enterprises are coming to play an ever‐larger role even in industries traditionally dominated by large enterprises. In new product development projects carried out by SMEs or micro‐enterprise using systems engineering, three aspects should be noted. Firstly, such enterprise wants to initiate the project independently, i.e. develop a new product/system under ISO 29110, there is some information regarding how it could do it, i.e. the stage that would involve the definition of the requirements. But enterprise should be able to understand and apply this information. Secondly, it must be underlined that project execution, is preceded by establishment of cooperation of new product development process. This process is frequently tedious, time‐consuming and – especially for small organizations – troublesome. Thirdly, such cooperation should be anchored in the strategy especially in technology strategy of the company. Technology roadmapping could be considered as a tool which is helpful in technology strategy creation process.
Impact of System Integration on Reliability and Maintainability
Authors: Armstrong James R.
Published: September 2016

Integration objectives are normally focused on whether the system of interest performs its basic functionality in accordance with stated requirements. Secondary considerations, such as effects on reliability or maintainability due to integration impacts, are often left unaddressed until a problem actually arises. By looking at several instances where these impacts had significant impact, we can take away several lessons learned to guide future integration efforts towards a more fully successful end result.
A truly testing experience – how Model Based Systems Engineering can help to ensure that you build the right product and build the product right
Authors: Wilson‐Smith Mike , Kibler Anna
Published: September 2016

Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tends to be very focused on the early system lifecycle stages (the “left side of the Vee” in a traditional, sequential lifecycle model) which, whilst understandable, can mean that some of the benefits of MBSE are not fully flowed through to the Verification and Validation (V&V) stages of the lifecycle. The goal of this paper is to illustrate how an MBSE approach and associated methods can be used to influence and guide the V&V of systems and the Systems of Systems (SoS) that are formed from the interoperation of these systems. The approaches and methods illustrated have been applied in both the development of naval platforms (or systems) and the interoperation of these platforms via military communications with other platforms across multiple domains (air, sea and land).
What does it mean to be Lean in SoSE environment?
Authors: Tregubov Alexey , Lane Jo Ann
Published: September 2016

While Lean practices are common across many fields and domains today, adaptation of Lean in system engineering began not so long ago. Value‐driven processes with minimum waste are especially important in system of systems environments. In this paper, we discuss how system of systems engineering (SoSE) processes differ from single system development processes, and how Lean practices are often employed in SoSE. Finally, we explored the original Lean enablers for system engineering, developed by the INCOSE Lean System Engineering Working Group, and discussed how these enablers can be applied to SoSE.
Beauty as a Guiding Principle for Systems Engineering
Authors: Devaney Kevin
Published: September 2016

This paper proposes that beauty is a useful guiding principle for systems engineering. Integral Theory, a school of philosophy founded by Ken Wilber, suggests that systems engineering should pay more attention to subjective perspectives, including things like culture and beauty. Beauty and aesthetics are often considered in product design. Beauty has been observed to be a valuable guiding principle in the world of science. This paper suggests that beauty may also be a useful guiding principle for systems engineering, and looks at ways this idea can be applied.
Functional Analysis and Design Approach for an Optimal Virtual IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Architecture
Authors: Gevorgyan Arevik , Krob Daniel , Spencer Peter
Published: September 2016

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is the greatest transformation in Telecommunications industry. It reveals the challenge of transformation from traditional monolithic to optimal virtual architectures, while meeting the standards driven functional, performance constraints and stakeholders conflicting objectives: maximizing flexibility, capacity, autonomy, minimizing expense in terms of financial and human effort (Capex, Opex), etc.

Our analysis approach, specifying a customizable policy baseline to arbitrate and optimize for the NFV strategic objectives and enablers, defines an optimal functional architecture adapted to the context at any levels: from orchestration of network functions resources (virtual machines scaling/growth, placement) till an infrastructural equilibrium (integration of multiple virtual IMS systems).

To define the optimal functional sets, we explore the multi‐objective optimization for decisions trade‐offs, incorporating it with the system views and environment, modeled through an adapted model‐based Architectural Framework combined with PESTEL and FURPSE analyses.

We case study the IP Multimedia Subsystem, as essential for communication services across networks and the only for Voice over 4G/5G.

We further discuss our vision: self‐regulating system and the related constraints.
Large Scale Engineering Systems – Insight on Desalination for Agriculture in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Doufene Abdelkrim , Ishimatsu Takuto , Alhassan Abdulaziz , de Weck Olivier , Strzepek Kenneth , Alsaati Adnan
Published: September 2016

As agriculture water demand in Saudi Arabia is fully met through underground water resources, and their levels of depletion are not sustainable, we evaluate in this paper the concept of “Desalination for Agriculture” at a national level. We discuss a case study and some results using a graph‐theoretic framework called the Interdependent Network Flow with Induced Internal Transformation (INFINIT) model. This model can be used to optimize the flow of resources and placement of new facilities (and expansion or retirement of existing facilities) at the individual facility level over multiple dimensions of geographical networks. This model can solve an optimization problem considering both spatial and temporal dimensions: a spatial dimension, that is, where a new infrastructure should be invested at a given time; and a temporal dimension, that is, when a new infrastructure should be invested. We conclude with a set of perspectives.
Architectural parallels between biological and engineered solutions in defence and security
Authors: Smith Gary Robert , Daniel‐Allegro Brigitte
Published: September 2016

Bio‐mimetics have often provided a useful means of inspiration for engineering design – for instance in fabrication of materials for aerospace. One more recent area of interest, from the perspective of cyber security has been in the remarkable ability of the immune system to cope with the diversity and evolution of threats such as bacteria and viruses. The focus of this paper is to further examine the architectural parallels between biological systems and engineered solutions in defence and security. Systems thinking and modelling are the tools utilized in examining the architectures and the capabilities of the biological systems such as anticipatory, adaptability and self‐respect. In performing such an examination, it is anticipated that insight and potential improvements may be found in both directions – improvements in our approaches to combat complex disease and also possible inspiration in the science, architectures and designs for our engineered systems.
‘Echoes from the Field’ Study Outcome and Discussion: Reflections on Software Systems Engineering Practice.
Authors: AlQaisi Raid , Gray Edwin , Moffat David , Wang Bo
Published: September 2016

To date, despite that various software development approaches have evolved and demonstrated success, many software development projects still fail. This paper argues that the reason for such failure is the result of not addressing the human‐side of the Software Systems Engineering (SWSE) adequately. Humans are relatively unpredictable components in the larger system of the sociotechnical environment, therefore requires adequate consideration. The study investigated the experience and perception of software engineers for the contemporary practice of SWSE. A suite of multidisciplinary theories was consulted and adapted to broaden the understanding of the role human‐element plays in SWSE, such as the Knowledge Creation Theory (KCT), Toyota Production System (TPS) known as “Lean” and Emotional Intelligence (EI). An overall conclusion is that SWSE is a human‐centric activity, and its success is heavily reliant on the human‐element and its related social dynamics. The findings can help viewing SWSE from a different prospective that could help improving the practice.
Systems Thinking in Systems Engineering
Authors: Camelia Fanny , Ferris Timothy L. J.
Published: September 2016

Systems thinking (ST) offers a holistic approach rather than a reductionist approach, through appreciating all the interrelated dimensions of complex problems. It is important for understanding and interacting with all kinds of systems, in order to manage complex problems. However, the broad range of the ST‐related literature found in various disciplines, generates a great deal of disagreement about definitions and understanding of systems thinking. Despite the current ambiguities of ST definitions, its underlying philosophy has a long history. This paper aims to clarify what ST is in the modern day and why it is defined in so many different ways. It identifies a number of interpretations of systems thinking with the purpose of clarifying what it is and why it is variously understood. The main aims of this paper is to propose a new ST construct, and to define its role in the practice of Systems Engineering (SE). This paper then draws implications of the new ST construct for SE education.
A Model‐Based Systems Engineering Application for Radiometric Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Phojanamongkolkij Nipa , Walker Joe A.
Published: September 2016

The current practice in radiometric measurement uncertainty of an instrument is to build the computational model in spreadsheets. Albeit easy to use, the spreadsheets are difficult for users to understand the computational structure hierarchy, and in traceability to the performance requirements. The motivation of this study is to overcome these weaknesses by transforming the spreadsheets to the Systems Modeling Language (SysML) model. The SysML model visually provides the structure hierarchy (using block definition diagrams) to the traditional spreadsheets and presents uncertainty calculations as mathematical constraints captured by parametric diagrams. In addition, the SysML requirement diagrams give requirement traceability to the uncertainty elements. The current model has been extended beyond the uncertainty analysis to include structure decomposition of the physical instrument as well as the total instrument mass analysis. A system‐level design trade analysis that encompasses both radiometric measurement uncertainty and system mass is demonstrated. The Desirability Function method is applied to optimally select the design, where both the uncertainty and mass are simultaneously considered.
Case Study: Customised Enhancement of an MBSE Environment for Transport Infrastructure Projects
Authors: Scott William , Shirvani Farid , Arabian Gary , Campbell Peter
Published: September 2016

Architecture tools have become axiomatic for project success however these tools are designed for tailoring to better meet user's needs. Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), under the guidance of its Asset Standards Authority, is currently building an architecture framework model to help stakeholders understand and guide transport infrastructure projects in the future so that the delivered systems are more successful. To augment the work of developing the framework, the off‐the‐shelf tools have been tailored with a series of routines designed to standardize diagrams and structure, validate the model, detect anomalies and distribute data.
Instantiating Product‐Specific Processes: A Framework for Product Quality Achievement
Authors: Natarajan Swaminathan , Nistala Padmalata V. , Nori Kesav V.
Published: September 2016

In current systems and software engineering practice, processes are defined generically at a level of abstraction above the specific product to be delivered. Processes capture engineering best practice but do not provide specific guidance on the technical work to be done to produce the product. Best practice guidance is sufficient where expert teams work on a stream of relatively similar problems, but in project organizations where the problems being addressed differ from project to project, particular quality concerns may be missed, leading to significant quality gaps that get identified and closed only late in the life cycle.

We close this gap by deriving project‐specific processes from the generic organizational processes, instantiating the processes with the specific tasks needed to address the particular functional and quality concerns of each deliverable. Instantiation utilizes institutional knowledge from organizational and other knowledge repositories. This framework for systematically achieving product quality has been utilized successfully on several large programs, and published recently as an ISO Technical Specification, ISO TS30103. We present a case study of its application to a large insurance project.