A Systems Engineering Framework for R&D Organizations

Abstract

AbstractResearch and development (R&D) organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories span the spectrum of R&D from basic science to operational support. They must address a wide range of project types (e.g., projects that produce knowledge as their primary product or that develop a first‐of‐a‐kind system), technology readiness levels, and client demands. Application of formal systems engineering processes (such as those supporting U.S. Department of Defense acquisitions) is often not warranted or affordable, particularly where it is uncertain whether a technology can meet key performance goals. To address these challenges, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed and is implementing a systems engineering framework that is highly tailorable and adaptable for the wide range of R&D that the laboratory executes. The framework applies the concepts of systems development‐related risk and technology maturity levels to tailor the systems engineering effort. This paper describes the framework and its implementation.