9.2.5 A Tale of Two Systems – A Comparative Study of Systems Engineering

Abstract

AbstractThis paper is a comparative study of two system development projects as a contribution to the demand for evidence of the benefits of Systems Engineering.The treatment is qualitative, but the similarities of the two systems concerned allow useful conclusions to be drawn. The projects were carried out by the same enterprise, used common subcontractors, were developed on similar technical infrastructure and were developed for the same end user. Both projects claimed to be applying Systems Engineering, however the very different outcomes conform to the old adage that says, ‘it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it – that's what gets results‘,Both projects experienced the usual trials and tribulations that accompany engineering developments, however one system was accepted and delivered whilst the other ran significantly over‐budget and over time. This system was never delivered. The seeds of the problems that afflicted the unsuccessful project could be observed very early in the programme, and had they been addressed the outcome could have been different. The paper helps to support the hypothesis that intelligent use of SE can ensure project success.Projects may claim to use SE without actually delivering a good result. The paper addresses this problem by indicating some common sense observations that can identify weak or ineffectual SE practices.Not surprisingly the identity of the projects is not revealed, and in some cases details have been deliberately altered to ensure anonymity.