Systems Engineering is a new, innovative methodology for designing and developing complex products and processes. Systems Engineering sees a product as a systemic model, including all technical, logistical, regulatory and administrative disciplines.
Design & development of complex products in an interdisciplinary model
All product information is linked during development and throughout the product's life cycle. Dependencies and interactions are covered this way and their influence can be examined in engineering and taken into account accordingly. In addition, all project participants work on the same model on from the start and enter data into this model via interfaces. These are the basic principles of systems engineering.
Risk minimization through holistic coverage and processing
These systems engineering principles avoid parallel worlds that typically arise in projects between different engineering disciplines such as mechanics, electronics and software. In conventional product development, these development areas are usually separated from each other. In the commissioning phase, this demarcation almost inevitably leads to disruptions when they are brought together.
M.TEC makes systems engineering applicable for its customers
M.TEC has always used a proven, cross-market engineering methodology in product and process development as the basis for safe risk management. By using that, M.TEC engineers have implemented many innovative solutions and successfully completed extensive projects. For M.TEC, the application of systems engineering is the logical next step towards new, agile development methods. Because the demands on tomorrow's products are increasing, and the complexity of projects continues to grow.
New development processes such as systems engineering are essential in order to achieve the goals in the development of future products and processes, with regard to competitiveness, sustainability and degree of innovation. Therefore, M.TEC is also involved in the Center for Systems Engineering at RWTH Aachen University. See more at innovation network.
Frequently asked questions about Systems Engineering
What is systems engineering in concrete terms?
- Capture all requirements, dependencies and interactions across the entire project with all stakeholders (incl. logistics, resources, training, software, repair service, recycling, etc.) in an overall model that all stakeholders work on
- Consideration of any of this information at any point in the product development process (PDP), allowing for an early detection of negative interactions or influences
- Use of simulation-based analysis and development methods to test concepts at an early stage and to manage the increased complexity in individual disciplines and resulting interactions
How is this different from traditional product development?
- Conventional product development follows a rather linear process, with a document-based set of requirements and specifications. In the course of the project, this step-by-step structure tends to make it more difficult to react to changing boundary conditions in a flexible manner
- Furthermore, conventional product development is organized in document form. This way of storing information can get in the way of a quick exchange of information, as it often involves different data formats that need to be retrieved differently
- In conventional product development, the cooperation of the individual participants is often only given at certain points in the course of the project, but not consistently. Incomplete or missing exchange of information, and sometimes plain misunderstandings can cause problems that only come to light in later phases.
What are the benefits of using systems engineering? How does M.TEC increase customer value that way?
- Minimize risks through holistic recording of all influencing variables throughout the entire product life cycle
- Increase product quality (improved properties, higher reliability, more efficient production, better maintainability, easier recycling, etc.)
- Increase process reliability (process properties are incorporated into component design much better)
- Improve cost-effectiveness (reduce resource usage, process adjustments, returns, etc., as well as there is a lower time to market)
- Implement sustainability (in addition to technical and economic aspects, also make regulatory issues more manageable, e.g. changing legal requirements)
How are the main stages of a typical systems engineering project?
- Definition of the project goals
- Design of a system model
- Definition of functions, system elements and physical interactions in the system model
- Design engineering of mechanics, electronics and software
- System integration, test and approval of the system