This paper investigates a method for ensuring that systems engineers generate requirements related to human values. It looks at the work of a project team that designs and develops complex systems in a company recognized for the application of Systems Engineering to deliver innovative systems. The research data was drawn from a real project. We developed a tool that prescribes a structure to analyze human stakeholders and to describe use case scenarios. The tool enabled the systems engineers to generate twenty‐five new requirements all of which were added to the system specification. Thirteen of these requirements contain aspects related to human values. Initially, the specification included only two requirements related to human values. We conclude that the importance of specifying human values has increased among the engineers of the team. Further investigation is ongoing in order to evaluate the potential of generalizing the new tool, its efficiency and effectiveness.
The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Design Thinking techniques for capturing and communicating human values in the early phase of Systems Engineering. To develop products, systems, or services that satisfy the stakeholders, the systems engineer (SE) must understand the emotional needs of the stakeholder. The goal is to derive stakeholder requirements from the need analysis to create solutions that satisfy the quantitative and emotional need of the stakeholders. A development project team conducts three field visits where they interview and observe stakeholders in their work environment. The project team uses visual mapping tools to communicate and discuss findings and to create a mutual understanding of the stakeholder needs. We evaluate the method using interviews, surveys, and analyses of the derived requirements. The results indicate that the team gained a better understanding of the human values and succeeded in deriving human values into stakeholder requirements.
An innovation consultancy applies human-centered methods to explore user needs in the early phase of concept development. This paper compares methods applied by the consultancy with theory from the body of knowledge within Design Thinking and Systems Engineering. The basis for this research is observations and interviews for three specific cases for three different customers. This paper presents criteria and impacting factors on how effective the innovation consultancy performs early validation of user needs. A properly planned co-creation session with the customer is the core. Using a key driver graph we found the main impacting factors to be research on user needs, technology and market trends, techniques used for analyzing the problem and solution domain, selection of participants, and the competence of the facilitator. We conclude that in these three cases the methods are effective in communicating innovative ideas and concepts with the purpose of early validation of user needs.
Norwegian high-tech industries face a rapidly changing market need. Staying ahead of competitors and developing significant innovative solutions are essential for business value. Systems engineering has proven to be an effective approach for developing technical (hard) systems. People, organizations, and technical functionality contribute to an increasing complexity in today's high-tech systems. This makes the traditional systems engineering approach insufficient for innovation in a socio-technical context. This paper looks towards systems architecting, systems oriented design, and participatory design for collaborative and creative ways of working to support systems engineers in developing significant innovations. We explore a rich toolbox and the outline of a new methodology for such co-creative problem solving. Firstly, we identify industry needs for the new methodology and derive success criteria for the toolbox embodied in the new methodology. Through ten industry cases within Norwegian high-tech industries, we analyze and discuss the toolbox composed of methods and tools for early exploration, validation, and knowledge transfer in the concept phase. Finally, we provide examples on how the toolbox supports the industry needs and outline the new methodology.
As a key measure for safety and environmental protection during offshore well operations, drill rigs are equipped with Emergency Quick Disconnect (EQD) systems. However, an EQD operation is in itself considered a risky operation with a major economic impact. For this reason, it is of great importance to aid the operators in their assessment of the situation at all times, and help them make the best decisions. However, despite the availability of such systems, accidents do happen. This demonstrates the vulnerability of our human decision-making capabilities in extremely stressful situations. One way of improving the overall human-system performance with respect to EQD is to increase the level and quality of the automation and decision support systems. Although there is plenty of evidence that automated systems have weaknesses, there is also evidence that advanced software systems outperform humans in complex decision-making. The major challenge is to make sure that EQD is performed when necessary, but there is also a need to decrease the number of false EQDs. This paper applies an existing framework for levels of automation in order to explore the critical decision process leading to an EQD. We provide an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of existing automation and decision support systems vs. manual human decision-making. Data are collected from interviews of offshore users, suppliers, and oil companies, as well as from formal operational procedures. Findings are discussed using an established framework for the level of automation. Our conclusion is that there is an appropriate level of automation in critical situations related to the loss of the position of the drill rig, and that there is the promising potential to increase the autonomy level in a mid-and long-term situation assessment.
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