UK Chapter

A case study of the development of a Design Review Process that reflects best practice, tailored to the Oil & Gas Industry and the subsea environment.

Incorporating a process driven approach to requirements-based design, verification, governance and assurance following the approach prescribed within IEC 15288 and IEC 61160.

Presentation by Ian Smith from Aker Solutions Ltd.

17:30 doors open for a 18:00 start

To register, please contact: h.hilarion@ucl.ac.uk

About

The September meeting of the MBSE Interest group to be held at the Leonardo EW Academy in Lincoln.

Agenda

09:30 – 10:30 Welcome, Introductions & Housekeeping – Ian Clark (MBDA)

10:30 - 11:00 Leonardo Overview – Philip Jackman (Leonardo)

11:00 - 12:00 SysML 2 Update - Graham Bleakly (IBM)

12:00 – 12:30 Update from IS 2019 – Stephen Powley (Coventry University)

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 13:30 – 14:30 MBSE template for Spacecraft Functional Avionics – Joe Gregory (University of Bristol)

14:30 – 15:30 The Enterprise as a SoS, Architecture Framework – Bruce McNaughton (Change Aide)

15:30 – 16:00 AOB & Close

*All timings subject to change. 

Attending

To reserve a place please use the online booking system. Bookings will close on the 9th of September. 

Agenda

Use of MBSE to model and define Services and Service-Centric Analysis and Design

Work for ASEC2019 - poster and workshop

This year's theme is LEF Future Center

The INCOSE Scotland Local Group is planning a get together to formally re-start the group and plan our next steps. We are planning a short meeting from 6pm – 7.30pm on 12^th June 2019 at Jacobs on the 2^nd Floor, 95 Bothwell Street, Glasgow.

In order to gain ASEP or CSEP it is necessary for INCOSE UK members to sit the certification examination.

INCOSE UK are hosting a paper version of this examination in Bristol at 10am on 4 June 2019.

The examination is based on the INCOSE SE handbook V4 and consists of 100 questions.

Duration is 100 minutes.  

For background information on the certification process please reference INCOSE UK guide - U1 and The INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook V4.

It is necessary for candidates to be INCOSE UK members in order to participate in the exam. For more details and fees contact profdev@incoseonline.org.uk

Digital twins are the fashion now it seems, with the concept first cited as appearing around 2001. The roots of this though, go back to the emergence of cybernetics in the 1970s and the prescience of Cybersyn. For Network Rail the beginnings were more mundane, the simple question was “How do we assure the performance impact of the decisions we make?” The challenge is that this question naturally snowballs to involve a very large number of network rail activities and is inherently cross industry in its implications. This has been the focus of the Whole System Modelling Programme over the last two years, considering the range of decisions currently supported (or under-supported) by modelling and simulation, and building new capability.

To tackle this challenge we used TRIZ methods to systematically explore the complex system of interacting problems, then defined a range of work to target the key aspects of the this newly understood problem space. We made sure that we had internal and external perspectives and took inspiration from the most advanced practice in the modelling and simulation world and from universal systems evolution trends. As a result we have a different perspective on digital twins, starting from the purpose we want to put them to. We have achieved a couple of firsts for Network Rail along the way too, blazing new trails in procurement and intellectual property management.

To create detailed requirements at the project level and align these across the programme we used systems engineering methods, adopting an architectural approach. This exposed some challenges of applying these methods to large non compartmentalised systems. The work will contribute to a gradual move towards model based systems engineering as a way of working in the railway and as we start to connect operational simulation with infrastructure design with BIM. Some of our early outputs are already influencing wider activities and the first software solutions have been demonstrated.  We are now contracting for their final embodiment and roll out. The longer term implications are far more significant. We anticipate that this work will lead to significant changes to network code, resulting from changes and acceleration of timetabling processes, dramatic acceleration of infrastructure design and similar impacts for sale of access rights and franchising.

The talk will illustrate alternative ways to tackle complex interconnected problems – applying whole system thinking to complex system of systems challenges to identify, target and address dependencies that are non- obvious. We will consider current best practice in modelling and simulation of complex systems, the implications of this for decision support and for those promoting digital twins. It will highlight the extent of change we can expect to see in the coming years and provide a view of systemic needs and opportunities in railways and transport for this technology. It will also touch on some of the emerging thinking on public sector procurement and intellectual property.

All views expressed will be those of Dr Ford, and should not be considered to represent Network Rail’s official position or policies.

Ben Ford originally trained as a metallurgist but quickly moved on to become an alchemist, working in the innovation space to turn the “base metal” of current products and services into innovative, new solutions “gold”. After a spell in bid writing and consulting, Ben became increasingly involved in innovation skill training and coaching to prepare people to development innovative systems and services. Moving to the railway, he supported a range of projects and began the process of advancing the sectors’ thinking in this area.  He prepared the innovation chapter of the Network Rail technical strategy which was used to fund innovations such as automated signal sighting, wireless signalling systems, and maintenance robots. More recently Ben initiated the first use of the Network Rail’s Innovate UK Competitive R&D mechanisms and the first use of the innovation partnership procurement mechanism. He is now taking on a role in Systems Operations to drive innovation, research and development oriented towards operations and value delivery from rail.

There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser, Mike Morua on m.morua@fnc.co.uk or 07763 455171. Please let me know of any special requirements before the event.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world-class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government 

The INCOSE UK Rail Interest Group has been formed:

• To provide a forum for those interested in Systems Engineering in rail to network in a less formal environment, to exchange good practice and to provide mutual support in an area which can require some sustained perseverance;
• To promote, improve and share the practice of Systems Engineering within the rail industry;
• To foster connections with other professional bodies within rail and thereby promote cross fertilisation of knowledge and experience across sectors and community disciplines; and
• To promote awareness of INCOSE UK and encourage membership within the rail industry.

For further information about the RIG, see www.incoseonline.org.uk and follow the ‘Groups’ link. 

Current and future Systems will become ever more dependent on digital technology, wireless connectivity and access to shared data. As this type of system architecture grows so the dependability of the system, whether this is delivered through Service Availability, Intrinsic Reliability or Safety Integrity, depends increasingly on protection against the threat of cyber attack whether malicious or random.

In rail this is becoming ever more the case due to:

• Dependence on Digital technology for train control
• Geographic spread and interconnectivity of network elements
• Linking of legacy systems to new systems

Features once controlled directly such as signals and points are now potentially networked and open to attack. Increasing level of wireless technology and even IP in signalling and communications opens the Train Control system to infiltration. Entertainment and advertising systems are potentially on same network as train control which opens a path to system disruption. Current UK TRUST/TD-net system is already in the public domain and once central data is linked could provide path to Train Control.

There have been numerous recent examples of major cyberattacks on public infrastructure e.g. NHS. Rail has not been immune to these forms of attacks with a whole range of occurrences on railways causing financial loss, actual loss of train control, threat to the security of customer details and intellectual property, and denial of service. To counter the threat Network Rail has developed a Security Assurance Framework.

This presentation outlines the threats and countermeasures to be deployed

Steve Denniss is a Technical Director at WSP. He provides systems expertise and leadership worldwide on major mainline, metro and light rail projects. He has extensive knowledge of the application of new and novel technologies and currently leads System Assurance on the Digital Railway and HS2. He has led Cyber Security assurance at the whole system level.

Klaudia Pawlowska is a digital railway engineer and is a member of WSP’s Specialist Services Group. A graduate of the Universities of the West of Scotland and Strathclyde, she began her career with J.J. Campbell and Associates before joining WSP in 2017. She is now investigating the grounds for cross-industry deployment of smart technologies. Her major professional interest is cyber security in various industry sectors; she is determined to contribute to wide application of cyber security principles across industries. 

There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser, Karl King on k.king@fnc.co.uk or 07403 293935. Please let me know of any special requirements before the event.

Living Business Models through Systems Dynamics; A core Systems Engineering Capability

Living Business Models (LBMs) exploiting the system dynamics method are quantified, time-based simulations of any enterprise, function, issue or project. They not only replicate changes over time to system-performance but also changes occurring to all elements of the system generating those results. Building on rock-solid theoretical principles, the process and tools required are not technically complex. Indeed, building LBMs is easier, faster and more reliable than attempting the same task with the spreadsheet tools most often employed for time-based business modelling. With INCOSE promoting adoption of model-based systems engineering (MBSE), LBMs offer an opportunity to extend system engineers’ influence and contribution in many aspects of enterprise management.

The event will include an interactive demonstration, connectivity permitting. So please bring a laptop or tablet, if you wish to take part. This talk was presented at the Annual System Engineering Conference in 2018.

Kim is an experienced strategy professional, teacher and publisher of online courses and teaching resources on business modelling – fast becoming a main-stream capability for executives, consultants and business students. He is the author of the prize-winning Competitive Strategy Dynamics (Wiley, 2002), a major strategy textbook Strategic Management Dynamics (Wiley, 2008), and summary e-book now widely used in MBA and executive teaching – Strategy Dynamics Essentials (Kindle, 2011). He is also co-founder of Strategy Dynamics Ltd, which publishes "serious games" and other dynamics-related learning material for management, and the user-friendly modelling application, Sysdea.

Practitioners of systems thinking use the viable systems model (VSM), the minimum combination of systems laws to describe the necessary functions and conditions required for any organisation to independently survive and thrive within a changing environment by understanding and reacting to complexity inside and outside the organisation.

Existing viable systems can be diagnosed using VSM to identify  weaknesses predict issues and risks. New systems can be designed using VSM to improve efficiency, effectiveness and the ability to cope with complexity, thereby increasing the chances of surviving in a dynamic environment.

Two systems thinking practitioners, Dr. Niki Jobson (DSTL) and Jonathan
Higginbottom from Southampton City Council will discuss the “why, how and what” to use VSM in your work.

The talk is free and anyone interested in systems thinking and systems engineering is invited to attend

Agenda TBC

If you wish to attend or have something to present to the group then please contact a member of the committee 

Creating digital twins for operational and strategic decision support at scale

Dr Nicolas Le Glatin, OpenSpace

Tuesday, 12^th March 2019, London
1700H Doors open, 1730H-1830H Event

The use of digital twins to provide operational and strategic decision support are gaining popularity as computing networks, integrated databases, visualisation technology and improved software tools enable their use. Visual data fusion platforms can be used to unite the disciplines of design and operation of spaces, putting the movement and experience of people at the heart of the process. The platform integrates a variety of data sources to allow practitioners to unify the lifecycle of the asset from dynamically evaluating, refining and communicating designs at an early design stage through to monitoring, analysing and forecasting the usage once the space is operational.

This presentation will cover the use of visual data platforms, in particular, OpenSpace to conduct advanced real-time pedestrian simulations to 'fill in the gaps' between known data points in order to deliver a complete overview of the system.  This modular approach allows for early decision making to be conducted before more complex and expensive system-of-system modelling is to be undertaken. Visual data platforms can combine in-depth operational insight with strategic tools delivering whole life-cycle benefits, to the following capabilities: 

 ·       Design - Evidence based design decision making derived from operational data

 ·       Operate - Real-time current system performance data, e2e across the network

 ·       Optimise - System-of-system performance, maximise retail opportunities & improve customer experience

 ·       Innovate - Discover & test new scenarios, business models and service designs

As part of Innovate UK’s First Of A Kind in Rail competition “Demonstrating tomorrow’s stations and a greener railway”, this presentation will discuss OpenSpace’s use as a data-driven simulation for the Thameslink core stations. This digital twin will, for the first time, will provide Thameslink Programme with a holistic picture of station operations delivering true insight into the operation (e.g. dwell time performance), movement and behaviour of people and their integration into the rail network.

Dr Nicolas Le Glatin is the founder and CEO of OpenSpace and an expert in the application of People Flow modelling & simulating technology. With  a  keen  eye  for  what  is  needed  to  meet  the  industry’s  needs  for  rapid,  intuitive  and  powerful simulation  tools,  Nicolas’s  career  has  seen  him  drive  some  of  the  most sophisticated  crowd  flow modelling  tools  in  the  industry (e.g. Legion) and real-time  optioneering  tool  to optimise  circulation  spaces.

The meeting will take place at Nova North, 11 Bressenden Place, Westminster, London SW1E 5BY (Arrive at the lobby and identify yourself at the security. Someone from SNC-Lavalin will escort you to the 3rd floor).

There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser, Michael Morua on m.morua@fnc.co.uk or 07763 455171. Please let me know of any special requirements before the event.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world-class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government

The INCOSE UK Rail Interest Group has been formed:

• To provide a forum for those interested in Systems Engineering in rail to network in a less formal environment, to exchange good practice and to provide mutual support in an area which can require some sustained perseverance;
• To promote, improve and share the practice of Systems Engineering within the rail industry;
• To foster connections with other professional bodies within rail and thereby promote cross fertilisation of knowledge and experience across sectors and community disciplines; and
• To promote awareness of INCOSE UK and encourage membership within the rail industry. 

Agenda

Moving forward from ASEC 2018

Types of service contracts, lifecycles etc.

- Updates to draft handbook

Bristol Local Group welcomes John Lomax, from Airbus, to kick off the first workshop in 2019. Enterprises are highly complex systems of people and technologies that are entities in their own right, which are prone to gross structural inefficiencies and failures to the extent of causing great societal harm and economic loss. Using the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) Programme as an example, John invites the Bristol Local Group to discuss and identify Systems Engineering approaches that work and areas where improvement and innovation is needed. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and open discussion session.

This talk was first given to North West Group on 4^th December 2018.

John is a Programme Systems Engineer with over 30 years of experience gained mainly across the Aerospace, Defence, and Air-traffic Management Domains, and currently works for Communications, Intelligence & Security (CIS), AIRBUS, and previously at the SESAR Joint Undertaking. He has recently returned from a 7-year expatriation providing direct Customer Liaison to the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) European Commission Agency of the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) Modernization Programme located in Brussels Belgium. He is an INCOSE CSEP and INCOSE CAR.

Relaunch event with Professor Alan Smith 6pm – 7.30pm 12 December 2018

We invite you to join us at the relaunching event of the London Local Group with the aim to provide a local meeting point for people interested in Systems Engineering, and stimulate an open dialogue and exchange of perspectives

Featuring a talk by Professor Featuring a talk by Professor Alan Smith, UCL followed by a group discussion on the future of the London Local Group

Venue: 4-8 Endsleigh Gardens Bentham House  221 Hong Kong Room University College London London WC1H 0EG

A large number of route upgrade programmes that include projects covering disciplines such as signalling, the permanent way, stations, overhead electrification, ticketing, traffic management and other capability improvements are planned within control period 6 within the UK railway industry.  These individual improvement programmes shall lead to a step change in capability that require an integrated and united systems engineering process and migration strategy in order to realise their benefits effectively.

Programme management processes align project outputs to benefits so that benefit realisation can be managed, measured and delivered.  The programmatic, technical, time phasing and assurance approach and benefits realisation should be addressed in an effective Migration Strategy.  The Migration Strategy provides the vision and stakeholder agreed guidance to implement and put into service the new integrated capabilities so that objectives are met within the performance, cost, time and risk parameters agreed by stakeholders.

However, implementation of these route programmes is not merely complicated, it is complex with multiple dependencies, interactions and emergent behaviours, requiring expensive and comprehensive testing programmes to mitigate the impact.

This presentation will highlight these areas of concern and provide systems engineering approaches that complement the programmatics so that major risks can be mitigated and benefit realisation maximised.

The System Engineering approaches covered in this presentation are:

1)  Modelling and Simulation;

2)  Architectural analysis; and

3)  Model Based Systems Engineering

The objective is to show how these methods could be implemented in a manner that is consistent with a route’s business and renewals strategy and are easy to communicate to stakeholders.

The speakers are Mike Morua and Karl King.  They are systems engineers and members of INCOSE and are both currently employed at Frazer-Nash Consultancy as Senior Consultants. Both have experience of the development and delivery of large rail projects involving infrastructure, signalling, telecommunications and rolling stock including such complex upgrade projects as ETCS and CBTC systems.  Mike has experience in defence telecommunications and energy infrastructure projects and has worked in the US and Australia.  Karl has worked on major rail projects, specialising in Command Control and Signalling Programmes, including ERTMS, CBTC and Traffic Management for projects such as Crossrail, Thameslink and the Victoria Line Upgrade Programme.  He has also worked on major railway upgrades in the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Mozambique, Guinea, Taiwan, India, Kuala Lumpur, Panama, Brazil, UAE and Israel.

The meeting will take place at WSP House, 70 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1AF (meeting rooms 1-05/06). There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser, Michael Morua on m.morua@fnc.co.uk or 07763 455171.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world-class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government

 The INCOSE UK Rail Interest Group has been formed:

• To provide a forum for those interested in Systems Engineering in rail to network in a less formal environment, to exchange good practice and to provide mutual support in an area which can require some sustained perseverance;

• To promote, improve and share the practice of Systems Engineering within the rail industry;

• To foster connections with other professional bodies within rail and thereby promote cross fertilisation of knowledge and experience across sectors and community disciplines; and

• To promote awareness of INCOSE UK and encourage membership within the rail industry.

For further information about the RIG, see www.incoseonline.org.uk and follow the ‘Groups’ link.

“The Year of Engineering”

A two-day conference bringing together world-class presenters and practitioners and providing an excellent forum for professional networking. This remains the UK’s premier Systems Engineering event and will feature:

• Keynote addresses will be given on each day
• Technical presentations on contemporary Systems Engineering theory and practice
• Tutorials run by leading Systems Engineering practitioners
• Exhibition of Systems Engineering organisations presenting their products and services
• An academic research showcase poster competition
• The conference dinner, with an after-dinner speaker from the world of armoured defence vehicles.

The ECF will be hosting a meeting for all of its members attending ASEC this year. It will provide an opportunity to meet each other and discuss the Forum's priorities and future plans.

The Rail Technical Strategy (RTS) sets the UK’s vision of a technology-driven better railway system for the country, creating a framework for research and development. This is complemented by the recently published Capability Delivery Plan (CDP) defining the specific steps that need to be taken in order to achieve the vision. Similarly, and perhaps surprisingly, our European counterparts are following an equivalent approach with the publication of the Shift2Rail updated Multi Annual Action Plan (MAAP) which includes a vision and a catalogue of railway innovation capabilities and a roadmap defining how to achieve these. In addition, this is mirrored at international level by the UIC producing a research and innovation strategy including a capabilities plan. Can all this alignment mean that we finally can have some joined up thinking on how to carry out research and innovation that is relevant and with real impact? Where does systems thinking fit in all this?

The talk will have two distinct parts. It will introduce and explore the aspects described above, followed by an overview of a practical example linked to one of the capabilities identified in these strategic plans. Specifically, an overview will be presented of a current UK research project developing a new braking system concept for overall system capacity improvements.

Roberto Palacin has 20 years experience as an academic working on research related to rail and transport systems. He is currently leading a Railway Systems Research Group at Newcastle University as well as being degree program director for mechanical and systems engineering. Roberto has been involved in research projects on subjects such as strategic development of transport systems, energy efficiency of urban and mainline rail systems, urban mobility and sustainability, development of innovative railway concepts, energy optimisation of rail systems, intermodality of the European rail network and development of modular concepts for high-speed. Roberto’s research interests revolve around two main aspects, application of a systems approach to energy conservation and human-systems interaction and include mobility and mass-capacity in the context of MaaS (urban and long distance), improving railways energy efficiency, connectivity and the development of ergonomic and design-led railway environments.

Complex projects are becoming the norm, interdisciplinary projects coupled with advanced digital technologies are making the assurance landscape more challenging.  From managing requirements and assuring system interfaces to providing proactive integration, verification and validation of the solutions; only progressive assurance, unifying the suppliers and client in joint delivery, provides the necessary guarantee of success.

Tim Whitcher is Solution Lead (Digital Railway) for WSP UK. He brings more than a decade of professional engineering experience within safety critical industries, from assistant tester to technical authority having led, managed and delivered advanced, and SIL-rated, control and infrastructure implementations valued in the low thousands to the multimillions.

The meeting will take place at TfL’s offices in 55 Broardway, London SW1H 0BD. There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance. To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser Karl King on k.king@fnc.co.uk or 07403 293935.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world-class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government

The INCOSE UK Rail Interest Group has been formed:

• To provide a forum for those interested in Systems Engineering in rail to network in a less formal environment, to exchange good practice and to provide mutual support in an area which can require some sustained perseverance;

• To promote, improve and share the practice of Systems Engineering within the rail industry;

• To foster connections with other professional bodies within rail and thereby promote cross fertilisation of knowledge and experience across sectors and community disciplines; and

• To promote awareness of INCOSE UK and encourage membership within the rail industry.

  For further information about the RIG, see www.incoseonline.org.uk and follow the ‘Groups’ link.

1700H Doors Open, 1725H-1845H Event

Finding people with the right skills to perform railway Systems Engineering (SE) is a challenge that is frequently discussed at RIG meetings. The INCOSE SE Competence Framework cannot solve that problem but it can contribute to a solution by providing an objective means of assessing SE competence which, in turn, can underpin recruitment and staff development.

The Framework was originally developed by organisations in the defence sector but is being increasingly applied in the rail domain. This event will provide an opportunity for those curious about the Framework to understand not only what it is and how it works but also to learn how it can deliver value, what the challenges are and how these challenges may be overcome.

Kevin Gedge of Network Rail and Jane Sanders of Bombardier Transportation are both involved in deploying the Framework within their organisations, They will introduce the Framework, describe their experience of using it, outline some of the challenges that their organisations have faced and describe how these challenges have been overcome.

Ian Presland of Charterhouse Systems is Professional Development Director at INCOSE and a key member of the INCOSE International Competency Working Group. Ian will introduce the recently-released internationally-agreed version of the Framework, describing how it was developed and a pilot project to use competency as a basis for assessing applications for Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) status.

This event is being allocated a slightly longer slot than normal to allow others to contribute their experiences and views with the aims of starting to form an industry view on the Framework and to establish a network of people interested in the Framework in order to foster further exchange of experience. 

The meeting will take place at SNC-Lavalin Atkin's offices in Euston Tower 286 Euston Road London NW1 3AT.  There is no charge for attendance and the event is open to non-members but places must be booked in advance.  To book, obtain directions or to ask any other questions, please contact RIG Organiser, Michael Morua at m.morua@fnc.co.uk or call 07763455171.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) is an international professional society for systems engineers whose mission is to foster the definition, understanding, and practice of world-class systems engineering in industry, academia, and government

The INCOSE UK Rail Interest Group has been formed: 

• To provide a forum for those interested in Systems Engineering in rail to network in a less formal environment, to exchange good practice and to provide mutual support in an area which can require some sustained perseverance;
• To promote, improve and share the practice of Systems Engineering within the rail industry;
  
•  To foster connections with other professional bodies within rail and thereby promote cross fertilisation of knowledge and experience across sectors and community disciplines; and
  
• To promote awareness of INCOSE UK and encourage membership within the rail industry.
  

For further information about the RIG, see www.incoseonline.org.uk and follow the ‘Groups’ link.

UK Healthcare is facing many challenges: an ageing population with increasing complexity of multiple long term conditions; improvements in medical care which can treat a larger number of conditions, and continued budget pressures and raising expectations. Healthcare is a complex socio-technical system, and identifying and devising interventions with clear net benefits is a challenge: a classic ‘wicked problem’. 

This talk is a presentation of a paper by Johnson, Harding, Smith and Beck that recently won Best Paper award at the 2018 INCOSE International Symposium in Washington DC USA.  It covers an outreach project that took place last year to support, through a series of facilitated workshops using systems approaches, a multidisciplinary project led by the NHS in Shropshire to improve services for the frail elderly.  It will explain the context, the nature of the workshops and techniques applied, and the outcomes, including a coherent prioritised work programme, with buy-in from all stakeholders.   The approaches used included, Systemigrams, Causal Loop Modelling, N2 Diagrams, Class Diagrams and others.

The presenter, Julian Johnson (INCOSE CSEP), was one of the 3 strong outreach team.  He has been an active member of INCOSE since 1997 and contributed to OMG Systems Modelling Language (SysML). From 1987-2015 he held roles in BAE SYSTEMS focussed on systems process improvement He is now Director of Holistem Ltd., a systems engineering consultancy focussing on early-phase systems engineering activities.

Following the successful launch of the Interest Group in April 2018, this will be our first working meeting.

If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact us via email on Michael.Gainford@es.catapult.org.uk

Review of Service Systems Engineering Handbook

- Where have we got to where are we going

- Definitions of Characteristics

- Guidance for early Lifecycle Stages - taken from ASEC18 paper

The Viable System Model (VSM), created by Stafford Beer over 40 years ago, has become one of the best known and widely used cybernetic and systems thinking approaches.  It is a powerful tool for the practical process of diagnosing problems in organisations, and helping to improve their functioning. 

Trevor Hilder, our speaker, is a long time Systems Thinker and VSM practitioner and has worked in, owned and managed businesses in the field of ICT since 1974.  He has applied the VSM in a wide variety of roles; ranging from training programmers, systems programming, creating one of the first database products to run on PCs, writing manufacturing systems, to building an Enterprise Resource Planning system for a convenience store chain.

Trevor had the good fortune of knowing Stafford Beer well, and was given the great complement of being told he is among the finest communicators of the concepts that underpin the model; including Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety.

Building on and going beyond the VSM, Trevor has developed his own approach to understanding organisational and individual behaviours and relationships he has called the Moral Modality Framework.   This talk is an opportunity to learn about this powerful new approach as well as the VSM and to gain practical insights into their application.

Presenter: Gary Smith, Airbus

Synopsis: Bio-mimetics have often provided a useful means of inspiration for engineering design, for instance in the 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 talk reflects on the architectural parallels between biological systems and engineered solutions in defence and security. Systems thinking and conceptual modelling are the tools utilized in examining the architectures and the capabilities of the biological systems such as anticipation, adaptability and self-respect. In performing such an examination, greater understanding arises with implications for system science and systems engineering.

Time will be allowed for Q&A after the presentation

Prerequisites: In order to attend please send the following information to TJRABBETS@qinetiq.com no later than COP Thursday 14th June 2017:

- Full name;

- company affiliations; 

- contact telephone number;

- contact  email;

Bring along photo ID (e.g. driving licence or passport) on the evening.

Attendees are requested to turn up after 18:30 for a 19:00 start