Richard Craig – EngD Systems Thinking in Cyberdefence

This is a quick presentation I put together to introduce the EngD in Systems to other PhD students at a group meeting.

The outline of the talk was to provide a brief overview of the EngD programme at the University of Bristol Systems Centre, and how it differs from the usual PhD route. Before talking about the Systems thinking element of the programme, and it’s importance, I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on the benefits of Systems Engineering. I finished with a quick discussion on my current research interest into smart grid systems and the information security of critical national infrastructure.

The EngD

Association of Engineering Doctorates, http://www.aengd.org.uk

Systems Engineering

• An interdisciplinary approach, focused on defining the needs and requirements (especially early in development cycle),
• Design synthesis and system validation whilst considering the whole problem, across the complete lifecycle.
• Systems Engineering considers both technical and business needs of all customers/stakeholders.

Systems Engineering is an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems

INCOSE definition

• Every thing –even if it isn’t, can be considered as a system
• Using System properties is a means to understanding and managing the complexity of a system and preventing unwanted emergence
• A key aspect of complex engineering systems is the fact that they frequently suffer late-observed emergent properties – which are expensive and difficult to solve
• The problems faced by system creators are only getting more complex – or will have more complex interactions with existing systems
• The only known way of effectively reducing the problem is to apply Systems thinking systematically, rigorously as early in the problem life cycle as possible
• Big Picture thinking and the application of common sense to projects
• A structured and auditable approach to identifying the requirements, managing interfaces and controlling risks through the project lifecycle
• Making sure appropriate effort is put into understanding the purpose of system, and ensuring a top-down approach (rather than diving straight to detail solution)

What is Systems Thinking?

• Understanding the system elements
• Understanding the relationships between elements (‘interfaces’)
• Understanding any emergent properties
• Click for more Systems Thinking information >>

My Research

At this stage in my research, I mostly spoke about potential future research as we move towards an integrated ‘smart’ national infrastructure that will require levels of collaboration and information sharing, and the change management project required to assist with this transision. You can visit my research page for more information.