Systems Engineering Technical Processes

The 14 Technical Processes (Structured by V-Model Phases)

Phase 1: Concept & Definition (Left Side of V-Model)

1. Business or Mission Analysis (BMA)

• Summary: Defines the strategic problem/opportunity, characterizes the solution space, and identifies potential solution classes.
• Key Inputs: Organization strategic plan, Concept of Operations (ConOps), Life cycle concepts, Constraints.
• Key Outputs: BMA strategy/approach, Problem/opportunity statement, Alternative solution classes, Critical performance measurement needs.

2. Stakeholder Needs and Requirements Definition (SNRD)

• Summary: Transforms operational concepts into a defined set of stakeholder needs and subsequently into formal stakeholder requirements.
• Key Inputs: ConOps, Constraints, Problem/opportunity statement, Alternative solution classes.
• Key Outputs: Validated stakeholder needs and requirements, Stakeholder identification, Validation criteria, Traceability mapping.

3. System Requirements Definition (SRD)

• Summary: Transforms stakeholder expectations into technical system requirements that guide system design without implementation bias.
• Key Inputs: Stakeholder needs and requirements, System viewpoints/models, Constraints.
• Key Outputs: System requirements, Verification criteria, System requirements definition report/records.

4. System Architecture Definition (SAD)

• Summary: Generates system architecture alternatives, evaluates them, and selects frameworks to conceptualize the system and trace requirements down to system elements.
• Key Inputs: System requirements, Constraints, Alternative solution classes.
• Key Outputs: System architecture description, System architecture rationale, System interface definition, Traceability mapping.

5. Design Definition (DD)

• Summary: Provides sufficient detailed data and information about the system and its elements to enable implementation, ensuring it aligns with the architecture.
• Key Inputs: System architecture description, System interface definition, System requirements.
• Key Outputs: System design description, System design rationale, System design characteristics, System element description.

6. System Analysis (SA)

Note: A cross-cutting process utilized throughout the V-Model.

• Summary: Performs rigorous technical assessments to provide quantitative basis for decision-making regarding requirements, architecture, design, and verification.
• Key Inputs: System analysis requests, Analysis situations, Life cycle concepts, Constraints.
• Key Outputs: System analysis strategy/approach, System analysis report, Traceability mapping.

Phase 2: Realization (Bottom of V-Model)

7. Implementation (IMPL)

• Summary: Realizes a specified system element by developing, procuring, or fabricating it based on the detailed design.
• Key Inputs: System architecture description, System design description, System element description, System interface definition.
• Key Outputs: System element, System element description, Training materials, Implementation report.

Phase 3: Integration & Testing (Right Side of V-Model)

8. Integration (INT)

• Summary: Aggregates implemented system elements to form complete or partial system configurations, ensuring interfaces function appropriately.
• Key Inputs: System interface definition, System element, Accepted/Reused system elements, Architecture/Design descriptions.
• Key Outputs: Integrated system/element, Integration procedure, Integration report.

9. Verification (VER)

• Summary: Provides objective evidence that the realized system or system elements fulfill their specified technical requirements and characteristics.
• Key Inputs: Verification criteria, System requirements, Integrated system/element, Integration report.
• Key Outputs: Verification procedure, Verified system, Verified system requirements, Verification report.

10. Transition (TRAN)

• Summary: Establishes the capability to provide services specified by stakeholder requirements within the target operational environment.
• Key Inputs: Verified and Validated system, System interface definition, Training materials, Verification/Validation reports.
• Key Outputs: Installed system, Trained personnel, Installation procedure, Transition report.

11. Validation (VAL)

• Summary: Provides objective evidence that the system, when deployed, accomplishes its intended use in its operational environment by its intended users.
• Key Inputs: Validation criteria, Stakeholder needs and requirements, Installed system, Transition report.
• Key Outputs: Validated system, Validation procedure, Validated stakeholder needs and requirements, Validation report.

Phase 4: Utilization & Support (Post V-Model)

12. Operation (OPER)

• Summary: Uses the system to deliver its specified services for the benefit of the operating organization.
• Key Inputs: Installed system, Trained personnel, Transition report, Maintenance and logistics report.
• Key Outputs: Operational system, Operation procedure, Operation report.

13. Maintenance (MAINT)

• Summary: Sustains the system's capability to provide services, addressing operations support, logistics, and material management to maintain performance and availability.
• Key Inputs: Operational system, Trained personnel, Operation report, Life cycle concepts.
• Key Outputs: Maintained and sustained system, Maintenance and logistics procedure, Maintenance and logistics report.

14. Disposal (DISP)

• Summary: Removes the system (or elements) from operation, handling the safe and secure deactivation, disassembly, and management of waste/hazardous materials.
• Key Inputs: Operational system, Maintained/sustained system, Operation report.
• Key Outputs: Disposed system, Disposal procedure, Disposal report.