Chapter 2 - Systems

Question 1

Define a system

Answer 1

Organised or complex whole; a group of parts interacting in a coordinated way

Question 2

In terms of systems, why do projects exist?

Answer 2

For the purpose of creating new systems, changing human made systems, or altering natural systems

Question 3

Name the levels in the assemblage of parts that constitutes a system

Answer 3

• System
• Subsystem
• etc
• Element

Question 4

What are attributes in a system?

Answer 4

Describe or express the condition of a system, or assemblage parts

Question 5

What are the function of attributes in human-made systems (or assemblage)?

Answer 5

Attributes are designed into the system to ensure required performance

Question 6

Integration?

Answer 6

“Designing, implementing, and operating a
system to achieve pre-specified objectives and
requirements through the coordinated
functioning (working I unison, no conflicts) of its elements and subsystems”

Question 7

Open vs Closed systems?

Answer 7

“Closed: Viewed as selfcontained; focus on the operation, structure, and processes of a system without regard to the environment.
Open: Interacts with and adapts to its environment. Any system that must be adaptable to its environment must be treated as an open system. “

Question 8

Systems Approach?

Answer 8

“Acknowledges that the behavior of any one element affects the behavior of others and that no single element can perform effectively without help from the others.

• Recognizes interdependencies and cause effect relationships among elements.
• Retains attention on the overall system and the ultimate goal
• Avoids actions that focus exclusively on parts of the system, since such actions are suboptimal for the total system.”

Question 9

What does systems approach account for?

Answer 9

“1. The objectives

2. The environment and constraints .
3. The resources .
4. The elements of the system.
5. The interaction among the elements.
6. The management .
7. The methodology (models)”

Question 10

System Model?

Answer 10

“A simplified representation of the
world; it abstracts the essential features of the
system under study.”

Question 11

Describe system life cycle

Answer 11

“The series of logical, structured steps of the system:
The cycle has the phases of conception, definition, design, development, fabrication, testing, installation or launch, production, operation and maintenance, and enhancement, replacement, or termination.”

Question 12

Systems Engineering?

Answer 12

“The science of designing complex systems in their totality
to insure that the components and subsystems making
up the system are designed, fitted together, checked,
and operated in the most efficient way.”

Question 13

Dimensions of systems engineering?

Answer 13

“1. SE is a multi-functional, interdisciplinary,
concurrent effort.
2. It addresses the system’s structure and
elements—its functional and physical
design.
3. It takes into account the entire
system life cycle.
4. A series of steps to
define the subsystems and elements of the
system. The process is an iterative cycle of: top-down anlysis, bottom-up analysis, evaluation”

Question 14

Systems Development Cycle phases?

Answer 14

“Phase A: Conception - perceived need/problem, feasibility study, proposal, concept
Phase B: Definition - specifiy requirements in detail, define project to deliver requirements
Phase C: Execution - Design, procurement, proeduction, installation
Phase D: Operatio - client control, system developer might remain involved for maintenance/evaluation
“

Question 15

Phase A: Conception

Answer 15

"– Initiation
– RFPs
– Feasibility
– Needs Analysis
– Proposal preparation
– Proposal evaluation/project selection
– Contracting"

Question 16

RFP?

Answer 16

Initial contact between customer and SDO describing needs and soliciting solution from SDO, informing SDO how to respond

Question 17

Contents of RFP?

Answer 17

“1. Statement of work:

• background of problem
• Scope of work: work included and excluded, restirctions and criteria
• Requirements and specifications
  2. Proposal requirements:
• Conditions placed on proposal
• All proposals should look the same
  3. Contractul provisions:
• type of contract: fixed-price? Incentives?
  4. Additional informations and data
• Name of contact person
• Technical information”

Question 18

Steps in feasibility study?

Answer 18

“1. Gain full understanding of user’s problem

2. Document current system
3. Devise alternative solutions
4. Analyze alternatives
5. Include solution in proposal
6. Maybe do environmental impact analysis”

Question 19

Environmental impact statement includes?

Answer 19

”- summary of proposed development

• alternative sites/technologies
• description of existing site and surrounding area
• potential project impacts
• adverse impacts that cannot be avoided
• long term impacts on resources
• ways to prevent and monitor impacts”

Question 20

Proposal contents?

Answer 20

”+ standard contents:

• > executive summary: qualifications and expereince, unique features, contact person
• > technical section: scope and apporach, phases, schedule, benefits, probems/limitations, very specific
• > cost and payments: projected hours and price of project, arrangement for payment
• > Legal: likely problems and provisions,
• > Management/qualification: background of contractor, financial responsibility, resumes of PM

+ must reflect RFP
+ Sales and contract: you are seling proposal
+ avoid giveaways, too many details, customer can do on his own
“

Question 21

Kinds of contracts?

Answer 21

“• Fixed Price Contract—Price paid by the customer for the project is
fixed regardless of the costs incurred by the contractor.
• Cost-Plus Contract—Price paid by the customer is based on the costs
incurred in the project plus the contractor’s fee.
• Incentive Contract—Price paid by the customer depends on the
contractor’s performance in comparison to the target price, schedule,
or technical specification: the contractor either receives a bonus for
exceeding the target, or must pay the customer a penalty for falling
short of the target.”

Question 22

Phase B: Definition

Answer 22

”- Assume project approves and funded
- Assume SOW, user requirements, basic project plan, contract exsist
- Principles: organize team, clarify details of requirements, prepare system requirements, prepare project master plan
“

Question 23

Project definition?

Answer 23

“-Setup project master plan and end-item requirements
-What end-item must do
-How PROJECT will meet this
-Iterative process: details of specs –> refine master plan –> contraints and resources identified –> revise specs –> repeat
- Revise until core team is satsified with detail to be able to direct work to meet performance, cost and time targets
- level of detail in master plan is higher than proposal
“

Question 24

Elements of master plan?

Answer 24

"What? Scope statement, SOW
What?? Detailed requirements
How? WBS and work packages
Who? Responsibilites
When? Detailed seduels
How much? Budget and cost accounts
What if? Risk plan
How well? Performance tracking and control"

Question 25

Requirements priority and margin?

Answer 25

“Priority:
• The relative importance of the requirement
• In case multiple requirements conflict the priority level determines which can be bent and which not
Margin:
The amount by which requirements can vary”

Question 26

APM?

Answer 26

“Agile Project Management is a variant of iterative life cycle and agile management where deliverables are submitted in stages.
- the functionality of the end-item is developed and delivered in increments.
- delivery time in iterative is months or longer; in Agile it is weeks.
- Breaks the project into small pieces
- Emphasis on delivering the smallest “workable piece” of
functionality and business value early on, and continually
improving and adding functionality throughout the life of the
project.
- Each workable piece is addressed one at a time, in a short time frame (called a sprint).
“