The Project Management Systems Engineering Dichotomy
Considerable attention has been drawn by many researcherstoward the System Development Life Cycle and howbest to manage the development of a Large Scale Systemswithin a competitive environment. The success in developingthese systems is dependent upon many factors of influenceboth within the organisation delivering the system,and the market sector within which that organisation operates.These factors alone create an environment of extremecompetition and uncertainty. Coupled to this is the uncertaintyassociated with the overall project objectives in understandingexplicitly what is to be delivered and when.Technology may further complicate this situation, particularlywhen it is unprecedented.Given the high levels of uncertainty, the dynamic environments,and the competitive pressures within which organisationshave to operate, there is a continued practice toaccept contracts based on pre-defined cost, schedule, andill defined specifications. In doing so, enormous commitmentin terms of expected cost, anticipated effort, requiredresources, and agreed design solution is undertaken atgreat risk. This approach is perceived as being one of necessityin order to remain competitive. However. it fails toappreciate the causes and consequences of uncertainty andattempts to manage it through standard risk managementpractices. This creates enormous tension within the contractingorganisation after contract award and effectivelyestablishes a dichotomy between the program managementand System Engineering functions. The perception of value,as viewed from the program office functional domain isanother contributing factor.There are several important issues associated with establishingand managing the development of Large Scale Systems.Important among these is an environment of extremeuncertainty and the competing viewpoints from which theclient and contracting organisations perceive value. Thispaper provides the foundation for continued research thatwill focus on developing models that better reflect the determinationof perceived value across the life cycle ofLarge Scale Complex Engineering Systems.
Year of publication: |
2003
|
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Authors: | Watt, D. J ; Willey, K. |
Institutions: | NA (contributor) |
Publisher: |
The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Inc (IEEE) |
Saved in:
freely available
Saved in favorites
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