A Second Systems Engineering Process Assessment at the Westinghouse Hanford Company

Abstract

AbstractIn September 1995, a second systems engineering process assessment (SEPA) was conducted at the Westinghouse Hanford Company (WHC) using the INCOSE Systems Engineering Capability Assessment Model (SECAM) and supporting documents. This SEPA, like the first at WHC in February 1995, was facilitated by the INCOSE CAWG, which developed the INCOSE SECAM and supporting documents (assessment method). The Capability Assessment Working Group (CAWG) is one of four working groups that comprise the Measurement Technical Committee of the Technical Board of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).This paper presents detailed information about the SEPA with emphasis on: (1) background events leading up to the SEPA; (2) planning undertaken to ensure the success of the SEPA, including tailoring of the INCOSE SECAM and supporting documents; (3) conduct of the SEPA; (4) post‐SEPA activities, including observations on the ability to mature using the INCOSE SECAM as a vector for growth; and (5) observations from the SEPA, including lessons learned and recommendations for improvement and subsequent impact on the INCOSE SECAM and supporting documents. The SEPA is noteworthy since it is the first time that a complex model developed for measuring systems engineering capability was applied twice to the same organization. This offers the potential of beginning the validation of the model.