LLG 

London Local Group

Last updated 14.02.04

(For more information about the London Local Group, please contact:)

Objectives

Suggested objectives are:
     To promote national debate on the role of Systems Engineering in the UK;
     to foster stronger relationships between INCOSE and those organizations operating in the London
     region;
     to allow INCOSE members in this area to form links with colleagues working locally.

For

Report on Last Meeting , contributed by Doug Cowper

  The 4th meeting of the London Local Group was held at University college London on the 21st January marking the group's 1st anniversary. the meeting welcomed Prof. Annik Fet from the Norwegian University of science and technology who is the education director of INCOSE's Norwegian chapter and is visiting the UK for six weeks. 

The topic of the evening was "bring-a-model" :

A range of models were presented from the abstraction of the London Underground map (presented by Kulddep Gharatya Gharatya), which we all know and love, to my own model train set (modelling a railway in OO - but not object orientation).the group was disappointed that Prof. David Stupples could not bring along Naomi Campell, however he did entertain us with his experience of a 'spoof' research proposal for a holographic model for use in air traffic control (the research proposals were being selected on 1st April) that eventually turned into a real programme. the idea was complemented for being very innovative and he was then faced with the reality of having to deliver it. This has led to some interesting technology and applications for using holographics for spatial computer modelling.

The models provoked a wide discussion on the use of models, from the under use of spatial mock-ups to exporing ergonomic layouts to the use of the London Underground map to navigate above ground!. The meeting also discussed the limitations of models. For example, models that were based on untested assumptions and/or were designed for a particula purpose, can end up being inappropriately used throughout the life of a project and may even be used tjo form the basis of acceptance testing. This can lead to project development being based on invalid models leading to down stream prblems. the group also discussed the role of models in decision making. Some non-technical decision makers may be swayed by the model and may make the wrong decisions as a result.

It was generally felt at the meeting that there is a lot more to debate on the subject of models and it was uggested that a follow up event (possibly jointly with the IEE) shold be held to explore this topic further. the topic would appeal to a wider audience.

The group also held their AGM to ratify the group's officers (shown further down the page). A draft forthcoming programme was also presented:

Mid April 04

"Systems engineering management Plan Workshop" venue TBC.

End June 04

"West Coast Main Line Requirements Case Study" Network rail, Eversholt Street TBC

Mid October 04

"Heathrow's Terminal 4" BAA, Victoria TBC.

Other suggested topics that the steering committee will explore are:

• A workshop by Praxis

• Hosting the Olympics as a logistics exercise.

Report on Initial Meeting

The London Regional Group Steering Committee met at UCL on 17th September to establish the various roles and to formulate the activities for the coming year. The meeting agreed that the posts (see below) should be for 2 years rather than the 1 year suggested at an earlier LRG event and that half the posts should be up for election on alternate years to ensure continuity of the committee. These elections will take place at an AGM that will be included in one of the events. It was suggested that there should be two types of event: a formal presentation style followed by questions and networking., and a workshop style where issues and case studies could be discussed on a more focused topic area., for example how to produce a systems engineering management Plan. the formal presentations should take place once a quarter (every three months) and the workshops could be more ad hoc and occur between the main presentation events. It was suggested that the first workshop should be a pilot and included as part of the main programme.

The meeting reviewed the suggested topics from the first LRG meeting and agreed the following programme:

Oct. 16th
"The Congestion Charge" Michele Dix (Transport for London) 5.30 pm Haldane Room, UCL

End Jan 04
"Post Christmas Blues (a light hearted short presentation TBC) & AGM at UCL.

Mid April 04
"Systems Engineering Management Plan workshop" venue TBC

End Jun 04
West Coast Main Line Requirements Case Study"
Network rail, Eversholt Street TBC.

Mid Oct 04
"Heathrow's Terminal 5" BAA, Victoria TBC.

Other suggested topics that the steering committee will explore are:

• A workshop by Praxis

• Hosting the Olympics as a logistics exercise

Other venues to be explored by the steering committee:

• The BT Tower

• The Strategic rail authority

• TFL in Broadway

• The IEE at Savoy Place

Contacts

If you have any suggestions for topics/presentations or would like to host an event please contact any of the following LRG steering Committee members: