You can map any form or definition of systems engineering into a simple box concept.Decision-makers need to learn how to use the Everything Else Box (EEB) to improve theirdecision making. You need to know how to use it as an offensive as well as a defensivetool, if you are to survive in the 21st century.
Boxes are symbolic of every day life. When you are born and need special care you areplaced in an incubator box and when you die you are placed in a coffin box for burial.Presents for birthdays, holidays, and happy occasions come in fancy wrapped boxes. Manyconsumer goods are sold in boxes, and these goods often are packed in larger boxes forease of handling. Packing boxes are placed in large container boxes for shipping by truck,train, plane or boat. Boxes come in many sizes, ranging from very small boxes for valuablejewelry to very large boxes such as a sports arena. The box analogy can be used to simplyexplain systems, objects, and other abstract concepts used in systems engineeringactivities and provides an effective way to develop the shared vision goals of systemsengineering.
Abstract boxes are used to contain and organize information. Also every social,economic and technical activity utilizes conceptual boxes to store, analyze, and developtheir processes and products. Most descriptions of real world systems are abstractions;the Everything Else Box contains assumptions and information that may impact the system ofinterest.
This tutorial provides an effective way to understand and communicate to others theconcepts, processes and goals of systems engineering. The different types of systemengineers, systems engineering capability models and standards are all mapped into boxes.How systems engineers use the Everything Else Box to engineer complex systems and copewith unknowns and surprises is explored.
Intended Audience: Individuals seeking a road map through all thedifferent definitions, practices, and activities associated with systems engineering. Thisincludes individuals who manage, interface with, and support systems engineers as well assystems engineers who are expanding their scope of the systems engineering practice.
Class Size: Limited to 50 participants. Instructors:Dr. Brian W. Mar
is a Professor Emeritus. Prior to his retirement,he was at the University of Washington for over 30 years and was a Professor of Civil andSystems Engineering. The Boeing Company employed him for 10 years prior to joining theUniversity of Washington. He holds a Ph. D. in Chemical/Nuclear Engineering as well asseveral degrees in Civil and Chemical Engineering and has served on International andNational councils and advisory boards. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta PiHonor Societies. He is one of the founders and a Past President of INCOSE and haspublished several books and over 100 papers.Mr. Bernard G. Morais
is the President of Synergistic Applications,Inc. and has over thirty-five years of Program management and Systems Engineeringexperience in industry. He holds a BSEE from California State Polytechnic University andM.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. One of the moresignificant achievements in his career was leading the development of the first SystemsEngineering Management Guide for the Defense Systems Management College when he wasDirector of Space Systems Division Systems Engineering for the Lockheed Missiles and SpaceCompany. He has been an Adjunct Professor at San Jose State University where he stressedthe multi-disciplinary aspects of designing systems. He has provided lectures in SystemsEngineering at many other universities including Stanford, the University of Illinois,University of Southern California, University of Michigan, and the Czech TechnicalUniversity. He has provided consulting support and training for National and Internationalgovernment agencies as well as communications and energy companies. He is a foundingmember of INCOSE, and was the first Treasurer. He was the first Executive Director for theinitial period of the formation of INCOSE .Copies of the text, The Everything Else Box - its uses and abuses: A genericapproach to any form of systems engineering will also be provided for eachparticipant.
MODULE 1 - WHAT IS AN EVERYTHING ELSE BOX (EEB)?
A. Life is just a bunch of boxes
B. The Everything Else Box - EEB
MODULE 2 - LIFE INSIDE YOUR BOX
A. Individuals use of boxes to live, learn, and cope
B. Maturity in natural, economic and social boxes - need to get out of the box
C. The rise and fall of systems thinking and development of systems engineering
MODULE 3 - WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE BOX YOU ARE IN THE EVERYTHING ELSE BOX
A. The grass is always seems greener outside of your box
B. Going into the unknown
C. Is it who you know rather than what you know
MODULE 4 - THE COMPLEXITY OF THE EVERYTHING ELSE BOX
A. Science and technology boxes can be described and understood
B. Social, political and economic boxes are not well understood - many unknowns
MODULE 5 THE USE AND ABUSE OF THE EVERYTHING ELSE BOX TO MANAGE TECHNOLOGY
A. The two variable scientist, engineer and administrator
B. Hardware versus software EEBs
C. The engineering of complex systems - EEB and the systems engineer
D. Managing the engineering of complex systems - EEB and the manager
E. Managing you career and your life - EEB for safe fail