Inherent in every stage of the product development lifecycle of any complex system is uncertainty, which can have either positive or negative outcomes. Today’s prevailing thinking suggests that applying the appropriately scoped amount of systems engineering to a technical project is one of the best ways to proactively plan, manage, and increase the likelihood of the desired outcome. Systems Architecting & Engineering can be thought of as the combination of processes and techniques that bring together art, engineering, and data to develop system solutions in a manner that balances stakeholders’ goals and constraints while appropriately managing uncertainty. International standards for Systems Engineering such as ISO-15288 and the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook explicitly state the importance of risk management in the systems engineering life cycle processes. However, many Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) languages, methods, and tools treat risk management (and certainly opportunity management) as an afterthought.

This presentation discusses the risk and opportunity management (ROM) function as a SE sub-process in the larger SE context and how it both depends upon and supports MBSE in the SE approach. A general model of the ROM sub-process is discussed which fits into the traditional SE process. Inputs to the ROM sub-process come from the various elements of the SE process and outputs support other SE process elements. Consequently, a fully developed ROM effort should be an integral element of the full MBSE process. Operational examples of Risk Assessment from the Space Shuttle, James Webb Telescope, and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)/Rubin Observatory Programs are referenced. The Risk Management capabilities of the Systems Definition Language (SDL), which the GENESYS MBSE tool is built upon, are discussed. An example of including ROM in an integrated MBSE model will be shown.

Speaker Biography

Ben Jurewicz is an Adjunct Engineering Professor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. He transitioned to academia in 2007 after a 40 year career in industry, holding a number of senior engineering management positions in companies such as United Technologies, Thiokol, and SAIC. Ben has taught university courses on risk management, systems engineering, six sigma quality, project management, statistical data analysis, and others.

Ben will be co-presenting with Brian Selvy, Chief Innovation Officer, from Zuken Vitech.