System Concept Definition: Difference between revisions

From SEBoK Draft
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
Concept definition is the phase of systems engineering 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 (glossary) is developed. [[Mission Analysis]] focuses on the identification of the primary purpose(s) of the system, while [[Stakeholder Needs and Requirements]] definition explores what capabilities stakeholders desire and may include some detail on certain aspects that the system must perform.
Concept definition is the phase of systems engineering 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 (glossary)]] is developed. [[Mission Analysis]] focuses on the identification of the primary purpose(s) of the system, while [[Stakeholder Needs and Requirements]] definition explores what capabilities stakeholders desire and may include some detail on certain aspects that the system must perform.


Mission analysis examines ''why'' we desire a system.  Stakeholder needs and requirements describe ''what'' a system should accomplish.  Both ''why'' and ''what'' need to be answered before any consideration of ''how'' the system will be architected and designed.
Mission analysis examines ''why'' a system is desired.  Stakeholder needs and requirements describe ''what'' a system should accomplish.  Both ''why'' and ''what'' need to be answered before any consideration of ''how'' the system will be architected and designed.


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

Revision as of 20:06, 29 February 2012

Concept definition is the phase of systems engineering 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 (glossary) is developed. Mission Analysis focuses on the identification of the primary purpose(s) of the system, while Stakeholder Needs and Requirements definition explores what capabilities stakeholders desire and may include some detail on certain aspects that the system must perform.

Mission analysis examines why a system is desired. Stakeholder needs and requirements describe what a system should accomplish. Both why and what need to be answered before any consideration of how the system will be architected and designed.

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:

References

Works Cited

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

Primary References

Reviewers are invited to suggest references for this article.

Additional References

Reviewers are invited to suggest references for this article.


<- Previous Article | Parent Article | Next Article ->
SEBoK v. 2.13, released 17 November 2025