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Tutorial E: What Forest? All I See are these SE Trees!
Half Day Tutorial presented by:
Mark Powell
Abstract
Far too often we Systems Engineers work intensely in one single activity area of SE,
usually for long periods. Perhaps we work requirements, or verification, or maybe even
the engineering specialties, for months or maybe even years. It is easy to get consumed
in the job. It is easy to lose sight of exactly why we do these specific jobs as SE's,
and why we do them the way we do. We can lose sight of how our specific job contributes
to the success of the project. SE then just becomes another job. But it is not just
another job - it is the most important job for any project.
This half day tutorial is based on a 20 hour SE refresher course that has been taught to
practicing SE's ranging from fresh college grads to grizzled and gray SE veterans.
It addresses all of the major areas of SE, but with a twist - we focus on the "why" we do
the things the way we do in SE, what was the lesson learned, and how it contributes to
project success.
For the fresh grad taking this tutorial, all of things we do in SE will make sense, fit
together in a nice neat package, and will seem obvious. For the veteran, this tutorial
will re-ground and renew their spirit. Almost all SE veterans who have taken the
refresher course report that they perform better in their jobs, and more importantly,
they are a lot happier doing their SE job.
Tutorial Objective
To reground Systems Engineers in the "why" of what they do, which should help them enjoy
being a Systems Engineer, and be a better one at that.
Prerequisites
A desire to become a better Systems Engineer.
Bio
Mark Powell has practiced Systems Engineering for over 35 years in a wide variety of
technical environments including DoD, NASA, DOE, and commercial. His roles in these
environments have included project manager, engineering manager, chief systems engineer,
and research scientist. Mr. Powell began teaching in academia in 1980, and has been
teaching Systems Engineering at the graduate level since 1989 at the University of
Idaho, the University of Houston, and Stevens Institute of Technology. Mr. Powell
maintains an active engineering and management consulting practice in North America,
Europe, and Asia. He is an active member of Sigma Xi, ISBA, AIAA, and helped to found
the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of INCOSE in 1991. Mr. Powell has served INCOSE as Chair
of the Risk Management Working Group, and as Assistant Director for Systems Engineering
Processes.
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