Discussion Questions 6/7
Deliverables due: Questions 6 and 7 – 7 March
Learning Objectives:
• Learn how to identify the form and function of simple systems
• Analyze and compare various approaches for analyzing structural connectivity and expression of function
• Learn how to represent simple systems in OPM or sysml (your choice)
Table 1. Matrix of Simple Systems
Industry Simple System
Aero Model balsa glider with propeller
Electrical Simple crystal radio http://www.techlib.com/electronics/crystal.html
Software Prime number search code
Judicial Jury in US court
Optical Optical Telescope (simple refraction) http://science.howstuffworks.com/telescope.htm
Naval Canoe (simply fiberglass canoe) http://www.clippercanoes.com/
Civil Classroom
Question 6 – Due 7 March
1. For two (2), your choice which two, of the -simple- systems listed in Table 1. – Simple Systems above
Develop a graphical decompositional view and graphical structural view for the form of the system
2. For one of the two “simple” systems in question 1: develop a list-like representation of the decompositional view and of the structural view. How did you choose to translate the structural information to a list-like view?
3. What do the lines on graphical representation of the structural view, and what every entries you made in the list-like view actually convey or mean? Are they really describing form? Can you identify the classes of structural relationships? If so, what are they?
Deliverables
2 charts for each system in Question 1
1-2 charts each for Questions 2,3
Question 7: Due March 7
1. For the same two systems analyzed in question 6:
a. What is the externally delivered function, what is the operand, what is the benefit, and to whom is it delivered?
b. What are the principle internal functions?
c. How do the internal functions map to elements of form? And to each other?
2. For at least one of the three simple systems, do an OPM or SYSML of the operand, delivered function, internal functions and form.
3. For at least one of the three simple systems, suggest an alternative architecture to the one presented, which delivers the same externally delivered function. Create a mapping of function to form of the alternative, and contrast with the one of question 2. Did you find it difficult comparing architectures?
Deliverables
2 charts for Question 1
1-2 charts each for Questions 2,3
Discussion Questions 8/9/10
Deliverables due: Questions 8, 9 and 10
Learning Objectives:
• To develop your synthesized approaches to analyzing form, function, concept (e.g. architecture)
• To develop an initial capability to analyze goals, dynamic operations and operator interaction
• To apply these approaches to systems of -medium- complexity
Table 1. Matrix of Medium Systems
???????? Simple System
Aero Standard class glider (15 m span). See supplemental file on sailplanes and gliders. also links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glider http://travel.howstuffworks.com/glider.htm
Electrical Superheterodyne receiver. See links: http://www.hans-egebo.dk/Tutorial/superhet.htm http://users.arczip.com/rmcgarra2/knight2.html http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=superheterodyne use the circuit diagram in the second site.
Software Student records sorting
Judicial Jury in US court
Optical Sextant. See: http://www.infovisual.info/05/076_en.html
Naval Simple 18 or 19 foot sloop sailboat (e.g. Rhodes 19). See posted file sailboat_arch. Also see: http://www.sailfree.com/Sailboats/sailboat.htm
Civil First floor of MIT’s Stata Center. Go and look around, and see: http://web.mit.edu/evolving/buildings/stata/
Question 8 – Due 28 March (read the whole instructions carefully before beginning!)
1) Choose one of the -medium- complexity systems from Table 1 above.
a) Identify the solution neutral statement of the function of the device.
b) What is the concept (the specialized operand, process and instrument)?
c) What are one or two possible alternative concepts? How do they differ from the given concept (in specialization of process or object)?
2) If the system you chose has a provided parts list posted, begin with that.
a) For at least one of the two systems, develop your own “level 2” decompositional model so that it contains no more than 30-50 level 2 elements.
b) Identify reasonable choices for a simplified level 2 model with 20-30 parts.
c) Show the structural connectivity for the simplified level 2 elements for each of the two systems.
3) For the system,
a) Develop a model of the internal value related processes and the flow of value through the intermediate operands.
b) Map the form objects onto these internal processes.
c) Develop either a matrix or graphical (OPM) representation of the mapping of objects to processes. How did the knowledge of level 2 structure inform your choice of mapping? Identify elements of form that would map to not yet identified: interfaces, other value processes, or supporting processes.
Deliverables
1. Question 1: 2-3 charts
2. Question 2: 2-3 charts
3. Question 3: 2-3 charts/tables
Question 9: Due March 28
1) For the same system as Question 8,
a) identify the level 2 rationalized elements that contribute to: other value processes, supporting processes and interfacing processes. What processes do they contribute to? Can you identify “layers” in the architecture of processes and objects, such as primary value delivery, support, etc?
2) Suggest a level 1 modularization of the system. How was it informed by the structure and internal function function(s)? What internal interfaces would you have to define if you used this modularization (do not characterize all of them, just list them).
3) Identify
a) the important steps in operation (dynamics) of the product system, versus the static function.
b) Develop an OPM with temporal meaning or a separate time line representation. Are there elements that support stand alone, emergency or contingency operations apparent? Are elements used for commissioning, decomposition, and maintenance evident?
4) Identify the external interfaces. For several of the important external interfaces, define the elements of the interfaces, their associated processes and their operation.
Deliverables
1. 1 graphic or table or combo
2. 1 graphic or table or combo
3. 1-2 graphic or table or combo
4. 1-2 graphic or table or combo
Question 10 – Due 28 March
1) For the system,
a) identify the principal beneficiary, and the needs that they have that are addressed by the system. Are there other important beneficiaries that can be identified, along with their needs?
b) Review the statement of the solution neutral externally developed function from question 1. Is it a good statement of functional intent? How might you make it more precise? Are any other intents on process or objects evident (don’t spend too much time on this, as it is tricky to do)?
2) For the system, develop an object only or process only representation at level 1. How did you suppress or represent the things that you did not show?
3) For the system,
a) deliver the “deliverables of an architect” that are appropriate for analysis in the reverse engineering mode in which we have been working. You may incorporate and/or modify some of your previous charts, and fill in the additional aspects. Your goal is to produce as complete as possible set of deliverables. However not all deliverable will be possible to complete, as you have incomplete information. Take educated guesses, but don’t speculate wildly just to fill things in.
Deliverables
8. 1-2pp or table
9. 1-2 graphics
10. whatever it takes
Discussion Question 11
Deliverables due:
Learning Objectives:
• Identify needs of stakeholders
• Compare methods for identifying and prioritizing stakeholder needs
• Develop goals for the system
Question 11
For a system of your choosing …
4) Answer questions 7a, 5a, 5b and 5c from Table 8.1 to produce a preliminary description of your system.
5) Who are the stakeholders and beneficiaries for your system, and what are their needs (including stakeholders who would represent society, direct beneficiaries, and so on)? What are the needs of your enterprise, considering it a stakeholder as well, and how is value exchanged? Which stakeholders appear to be beneficial stakeholders, which problems stakeholders and which charitable beneficiaries? How would you group or segment the stakeholders so that your “stakeholder map” is as simple as possible yet has the important stakeholders on it?
6) Using an analysis method of your choosing devise a list of the prioritized needs of the principal stakeholders, both within a single stakeholder and among the various stakeholders.
7) Interpret the needs as goals. Create a statement of the goals (the system problem statement, and the descriptive goals) at the highest level (that is, without any decomposition.
8) Prioritize the goals into critical, important, or desirable. Try to develop appropriate metrics that would go with each.
9) Comment if you can on the test of the goals you have developed. Are they complete, consistent, attainable, humanly solvable? How would you validate that if the goals are met, the needs of the stakeholders will be addressed?
Deliverables
4. Question 1 - 1-2 pages (table)
5. Question 2 - 1-2 pages (table)
6. Question 3 - 1 pages, list
7. Question 4, 5, 6 – 1-2 pages (table)
Discussion Question 12
Deliverables due:
Learning Objectives:
• Develop alternative concepts
• Identify sources of creativity
Question 12 –
For the system in Question 11 …
10) For the product or system you chose in the problems for Question 12, start with the goals you developed, and work toward the concept definition of the system.
11) Identify and analyze the current concept to the best of your ability, and identify at least one alternative concept.
12) Based on the solution-neutral statement of primary functional intent identify several alternative specializations of (potentially) operands and (certainly) processes.
13) For several of the specialized processes, identify specialized instrument objects. This will produce the highest-level concept tree or morphological matrix.
14) What sources of creativity did you draw on to develop these concepts?
15) How do these sources of creativity compare with those you read in the chapter 12.
Deliverables
8. Question 1 - 1 graphic
9. Question 2 – 1 graphic
10. Question 3 - 1 graphic
11. Question 4 - 1 graphic
12. Questions 5 and 6– 1-2 pages