“This text is the most complete, most thorough, and the most systematic textbook on the subject of Systems Engineering. The textbook is presenting materials in a proper and sequential manner and it is not jumping from topic to topic.”
-Lili H. Tabrizi, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
“This is, without a doubt, the definitive text on systems engineering. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the field, considering both the design and analysis of complex systems.”
-Stanley F. Bullington, MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
“The clean coverage of individual topics makes it easier to address needs of students both in our regular graduate course and to supplement short courses. The book serves as an excellent quick reference guide.”
-Paul Componation, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
Systems Engineering and Analysis
Fifth Edition
Benjamin S. Blanchard
Wolter J. Fabrycky
This book is about systems. It concentrates on the engineering of human-made systems and on systems analysis. In the first case, emphasis is ont he process of bringing systems into being, beginning with the identification of a need and extending through requirements determination, functional analysis and allocation, design synthesis and evaluation, validation, operation and support, and disposal. In the second case, focus is on the improvement of systems already in being. By employing the iterative process of analysis, evaluation, modification, and feedback most systems now in existence can be improved in their effectiveness, product quality, affordability, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Systems engineering may be defined and/or described as a technologically based interdisciplinary process for bringing systems, products, and structures (technical entities) into being. While the main focus is nominally on the entities themselves, systems engineering offers organizations a better strategy. Systems engineering is inherently oriented to considering "the end before the beginning" and concentrates on what the entities do before determining what the entities are.
Instead of offering systems or system elements and products per se, systems engineering focuses on designing, delivering, and sustaining functionality, a capability, or a solution. This strategic thinking is now being considered by forward-looking organizations in both the private and public sectors. It is applicable to most types of technical systems encompassing the domains of communication, defense, education, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and others. The advancement and promulgation of this emerging strategy through education is the primary aim of this textbook.
About the Author
Benjamin S. Blanchard served in the U.S. Air Force for several years during the Korean conflict; spent 17+ years in industry as a design engineer, field service engineer, and engineering manager (Boeing, Sanders Associates, Bendix, and General Dynamics); taught reliability and maintainability courses as an Adjunct Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology (1967-1969); employed at Virginia Tech as Director of Engineering Extension and Assistant Dean of Engineering for Public Service (1970-1997); Chaired Graduate Program in Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech (1979-1997); served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter, UK, teaching logistics engineering courses (1989-1996); served as an Adjunct Professor, University of Virginia, teaching systems engineering (2001); taught courses in systems engineering and logistics engineering at Virginia Tech (1971-2004); served as Professor of Systems Engineering, Portland State University, and taught courses in systems and logistics engineering via the internet (1999-2004); and conducted training programs, seminars, and workshops in systems engineering, logistics, maintenance, and life-cycle costing in 34 different countries (1972-2002). In addition, he has authored and/or co-authored nine different books and a number of monographs, book chapters, and technical papers in systems engineering, logistics engineering, maintainability and maintenance, and life-cycle costing.
Wolter J. Fabrycky - Lawrence Professor Emeritus of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Registered Professional Engineer in both Arkansas and Virginia, and Chairman of Academic Applications International, Inc. Fabrycky taught at the University of Arkansas and then Oklahoma State University before becoming Founding Chairman of the Interdisciplinary Systems Engineering Graduate Program, Associate Dean of Engineering, and then Dean of Research, all at Virginia Tech. He is a Fellow in AAAS, ASEE, IIE, and INCOSE. An INCOSE Charter Member, Fabrycky was designated a SE Pioneer (with Ben Blanchard) in 2000. Fabrycky is Founder and President of Omega Alpha, the International Honor Society for Systems Engineering and President Elect of Alpha Pi Mu, the Industrial Engineering Honor Society. He serves or served on the National Boards of APM, ASEE, IIE, INCOSE, and OAA. Received the Distinguished Educator Award from IIE, the Grant and Wellington Awards from ASEE and IIE, and the Lohmann Medal from Oklahoma State. Fabrycky was named a member of the 1978 Engineering Education Delegation to the People's Republic of China, sponsored by the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the PRC. Co-author of six Prentice Hall textbooks and co-editor (with Joe Mize since 1972) of the Prentice Hall International Series in Industrial and Systems Engineering that includes more than 40 titles.
