Knowledge Capture, Cross Boundary Communication and Early Validation with Dynamic A3 Architectures

Abstract

Abstract. Understanding and extracting systems information is a time consuming, demanding and expensive process. Complicating factors are cross-boundary communication methods and tools. We combine an informal and formal systems engineering method; Lean manufacturing principles and Model Based systems Engineering (MBSE) resulting in Dynamic A3 architecture. Dynamic A3 Architecture is a hierarchy of overviews from super-system to sub-system that the reader can navigate through active links. We applied the method to a lube oil system of a gas turbine package. We found that Dynamic A3 Architecture can ease internal and cross boundary communication, train new employees, facilitate knowledge capture, and share common understanding of the "system of interest". A functional sequence diagram, which is a hybrid of a state and functional diagram, can assist in early validation of process applications.

Implementation of A3 architectural overviews in Lean Product Development Teams; A case study in the Subsea Industry

“…Earlier research investigating the use of the A3 architectural overviews in product development, intended to improve the communication and system overview across the organization. (Singh and Muller 2013) and (Frøvold and Muller 2011) successfully used A3 for cross boundary communication and early validation. (Polanscak and Muller 2011) presented that the A3 was a great tool in discussions, by helping the discussions to stay focused, dynamic, and inclusive.…”

Collective understanding of system behavior : incorporating simulations in conceptual systems design

“…This is done in a "comic book" style, meaning that various subsequent images show the system's state over time. In [Singh and Muller, 2013], a dynamic A3 architecture is used which allows various use cases of a lube oil system to be viewed. Their digital implementation presents an overview with hyperlinks to more detailed A3's showing use cases such as "start-up", "running" and "shutdown".…”

“…Their digital implementation presents an overview with hyperlinks to more detailed A3's showing use cases such as "start-up", "running" and "shutdown". These two works give a good indication of how an operational view can be employed in an A3, either in the classical paper format [Muller, 2014] or digitally, in [Singh and Muller, 2013]. However, it can also be imagined that more interactivity is required to accommodate multidisciplinary views.…”

“…Zooming on block diagram reveals lower levels [Brussel and Bonnema, 2015] Encapsulation of information External Link Link to other Interactive System Overviews, further analysis details, design documentation, etc. [Singh and Muller, 2013] Expand access to Knowledge…”

“…In addition to this, [Muller, 2014] showed that a paper based A3 can be used to represent operational views, by using a "comic-book style" of use case description. [Singh and Muller, 2013] show it is possible to connect multiple A3 Architecture Overviews by hyperlinking them digitally. Furthermore, the application of Knowledge-Briefs (K-Briefs) are described in [Klein et al, 2014, Martinet, 2014.…”