Case study in systems engineering analysis

Paper elements: to be applied in a Systems Engineering Analysi­­s context. Focus on Checkland’s theories, as well as Dorner’s “the Logic of Failure”.

1. Describe a work or personal situation suitable for becoming the case study. This section should be 2 pages min.

14. Discuss the situation's background (tell the story)
14. Describe the details of the situation/problem in terms of Checkland's six elements of root definition (CATWOE)
14. Explain why you chose what you did for the six elements

2. Develop a problem statement for the case study

14. Specifically identify the problem statement, then

14. Separately discuss the rationale for the rationale behind the problem statement. Don't just identify the elements of the problem statement; discuss its relationship to the Situation Description
14. Identify the key problem variables for your case study. You will need to justify/explain your choices.
14. Develop inferences about the relationships between your problem variables
    • Discuss the relationship of each variable to one another
    • Don’t forget bidirectional relationships
14. Briefly describe new ideas about Systems Analysis that may apply to the case study

3. Develop an Objective Tree for your case study

14. Graphical representation like the examples in the lesson
    • Go down at least 2 levels below the primary objective
    • Go down at least 3 levels for most of the objectives
    • Go back to your variables for hints on candidate objectives
14. Complete the Systems Analysis worksheet  for your case study
    • Provide complete, well-developed thoughts and answers to the questions
    • Don’t use bulletized answers
    • Use the SAW as more than just an outline
    • Develop the content of the project plan
    • For 3.2, explain each parameter-to-parameter relationship
    • For 3.3, only identify 3 different models
    • For 4.x, describe at least 3 different feasible solution alternatives to the proble,. Identify the major consequences for each. Describe the advantages and disadvantages. Discuss at least 3 risks for each alternative.

**Discussion MUST relate back to criteria/sub-objectives in the objectives tree

4. Complete the Data Information Requirements of the SA worksheet

14. Construct at least one PDD to show the relationship between your available data and the calculation of your metrics that cannot be measured directly

5. Construct a BOT graph(s) depicting each relevant variable in 3.1 from the SAW

14. Explain in a text narrative the relationshpis over time for each dependent variable
14. Things that provide clues, create questions, or lead to ah-ha! Moments
14. What overall understandings the reader needs to take away from reviewing the BOT

6. Summary of the Formulate Problem, Acquire Data, Analysis Approach:
   1. CATWOE (Summary of Formulate Problem)
   2. What you did, why, how, result

14. Focus on: alternatives identification and quantitative analysis, implementation feasibility, recommended solution: what and WHY, clear depiction throughout the report of lessons

SPECS:

• • • 15 pages not including charts, graphs, tables, etc.
    • Single spaced