Date: 23 June 2015

Issue: 2015-4

In This Issue

Creativity and Problem Solving Part 2: A Modest Proposal for Remembering Divergent Thinking

Zane Scott, Vitech Vice President of Professional Services

The business of systems engineering is problem solving. The ability to see and understand the problem and then to explore the solution set in search of the best answer is the core skill for the successful practitioner. It is important that we devote our attention to our processes, tools, and methods so that we can find the greatest leverage for high-quality solution seeking.  Read More.

Is a Document a Model? (and why would I care?)

David Long, Vitech President, INCOSE President

If you hang around those applying model-based systems engineering (MBSE) long enough, you will eventually hear a passionate debate regarding whether a document is a model. For the general public, this sounds about as compelling as the question “is it system engineering (singular) or systems engineering (plural)?” While both may be good questions for that systems engineering dinner party you are planning, there is some value in the question of whether or not a document is a model … if you look beyond the surface.  Read More.

The Value of Learning SE Lanugage

Bethany Maddox, Vitech Customer Support Specialist

This language thing can be tricky, and on some days, downright frustrating. The particular quirk of language that is the object of my strife today is that most every word has more than one meaning. In order to discern the intended meaning of a speaker/author, the context in which the word is used becomes critical. And to make matters even worse, science gets its geeky little hands on a word and gives it even more definitions! Read More.

5 Characteristics of a Great Systems Engineer

Sara Sumner, Vitech Applications Engineer

The other day, I found myself at an industry event surrounded by colleagues that I have worked with throughout my entire career. Some of these colleagues were former leads and managers that directly influenced my career path and were mentors to help shape my knowledge and understanding of systems engineering. While I was taking a short trip down memory lane, remembering the challenges that we faced, considering the wisdom they shared, and recollecting the lessons learned that they imparted, I realized that I have been fortunate to work with some of the best systems engineers in the industry. Read More. 

Solving Problems the Old-fashioned Way

Ron Kratzke, Vitech Principal Systems Engineer

I recently read an article in Quality Progress magazine (a monthly publication of the American Society for Quality) which talked about focusing on the problem before determining a solution. In this article the author quoted two prominent thinkers, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln.

Albert Einstein said: “If I only had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about the solutions.” Read More.