System Concept Definition

Concept definition is the set of systems engineering activities in which the problem space and the needs of the stakeholders are closely examined; this occurs before any formal definition of the system of interest (soi) is developed. Mission Analysis focuses on defining the problem or opportunity that exists (often called the problem space), as well as understanding the constraints on and boundaries of the solution space. Stakeholder Needs and Requirements explores and defines the operational aspects of a potential solution for the stakeholders from their pointof view, independent of any specific solution.

Mission analysis examines why a solution is desired; what problem or opportunity it will address. Stakeholder needs and requirements describe what a solution should accomplish. Both why and what need to be answered before any consideration of "how" the problem will be addressed (i.e., what type of solution) and how the solution will be defined and developed. If the chosen solution is a new or modified system, then System Definition activities are performed to define the system.

Various authors use different terms to describe these phases. For example, Kossiakoff and Sweet (2005) call them needs analysis and concept exploration.

Topics

The topics contained within this knowledge area include:

• Mission Analysis
• Stakeholder Needs and Requirements

Concept Definition Activities

There are two primary activities discussed under concept definition: mission analysis and the definition of stakeholder needs and requirements:

• Mission Analysis initiates the life cycle of a potential system of interest (SoI) that could solve a problem or realize an opportunity for developing a new product, service or enterprise. These activities define the problem space, identify the stakeholders, develop preliminary operational concepts, and identify environmental conditions and constraints that bound the solution space.
• Stakeholder Needs and Requirements works with the stakeholders across the life cycle to elicit and capture a set of needs, expectations, goals, or objectives of a desired solution to the problem or opportunity, called Stakeholder Needs. The stakeholder needs are used to produce a clear, concise, and verifiable set of stakeholder requirements.

The products and artifacts produced during concept definition are then used in System Definition.

References

Works Cited

Kossiakoff, A, and W. Sweet. 2009. Systems Engineering: Principles and Practice. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley and Sons.

Primary References

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Additional References

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