5.5.5 Systems Engineering with ICDM – A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractThis paper presents and demonstrates the design of a new system using the ICDM method.ICDM is an Integrated, Customer Driven, Conceptual Design Method that encompasses the entire process of conceptual design, starting from customer needs up to the selection of the best solution to that need.In an engineering design process, the most critical phase is the initial conceptualization of the needed system or product, where about 75% of its life cycle cost is committed (Blanchard 1978). Therefore, using efficient methodologies and practices during this phase is essential to the whole effort success (Pahl 1984).ICDM, demonstrated in this paper, is a flexible 10 step method, tailorable to multifaceted project needs and organization's requirements.The case study describes the stages of a system definition and conceptual design of a Personal Identification of Friend or Foe system ‐ PIFF. The problem behind this need is defined as the difficulty of friend or foe identification in terror fighting or infantry arena.As a result, the case study showed the ability of ICDM to enable quick and efficient team decisions upon the customer needs and produced an optimal conceptual design that scored the best in terms of Customer Satisfaction Rating (CSR).