UK Chapter

INCOSE International Conference on Human Systems Integration, HSI2019, will be held in Biarritz, France on September 11-13, 2019. HSI emerges from the combination of human-centred design (HCD) and Systems Engineering (SE) as a highly participative and incremental process.

For more information visit www.incose.org/hsi2019

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.