Systems Engineering: A 21st Century Systems Methodology
This book details and explores
the systems approach, using theory and method to reveal systems engineering as applied systems science, bridging the gulf between Problem and Solution Spaces;
a 'universal' Systems Methodology' (including an extensive view of systems engineering, embracing both hard and soft systems) which encompasses all five of Hitchins' 5-layer Systems Engineering model (artifact, project, enterprise, industry and socio-economy);
Case Studies illustrating how the systems methdology may be used to address a diverse range of issues and situations, including conceiving an new defense capability, proposing a feasible way to tackle global warming, tackling enterprise interventions, how and why things can go wrong, and many more.
Systems Engineering will give an immeasurable advantage to managers, practitoners, and consultants in a wide range of organizations and fields including police, defense, procurement, communications, transport, management, electrical, electronic, aerospace, requirements, software and computer engineering.
This text, examining the nature, views and uses
of systems, aims to develop a sound systems ethic and systems methods
that will improve the performance of systems, organizations and
businesses while preserving the environment. There are four distinct
but interrelated parts, progressing from basic systems notions and
principles, through the establishment of some building blocks, through
to full systems synthesis. Classical systems engineering is discussed,
as a basis for comparison with, and foundation for, a New Systems
Engineering, and speculation is put forward about the way in which
some aspects of system design might be undertaken in the future.
by Derek K Hitchins, first published 1992 by Wiley, Chichester
ISBN: 0-471-93426-7
I have half a dozen unused hardback copies. They are pristine, unopened,
and leftover from the author's copies issued to me by the publishers in
1992
These are rare examples of a much sought after book that has become a
systems engineering classic. As long as my short stock lasts, you may
purchase a copy from me for £50:00 (fifty pounds stirling). P&
P is £3.00 (GBP)
Used copies may also be available in hardback from Amazon...
On the other hand, you may find it much cheaper and easier to download
an electronic version of the original free of charge. This offer is intended
for genuine students of all ages, and you are honor-bound not to reproduce
your copy. In fact, you will find that it is print-inhibited. But still
entirely useable on your computer/laptop/handheld screen.
Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering and Management
No matter what field you are working in or studying,
Advanced Systems Thinking, Engineering, and Management offers you
a comprehensive understanding of systems ideas and methods to help
you achieve unmatched success with your challenging projects. This
unique resource helps you add a systems-scientific grounding to
systems engineering enterprises, showing you how to solve intractable
problems, design systems to accommodate complex environments, and
manage both creative and operational systems. You learn how to conceive,
design and manage a systems engineering process for optimal results.
by Derek K Hitchins, published by Artech House, 2003.
Available in hardback from Amazon,
also from the publishers, or can be ordered through good bookshops. ISBN:1-58053-619-0
This is a an on-line book which examines the subject
of complexity, what is it, how does it come about, should we be
concerned, can we exploit it, and so on!
It even comes up with an alternative to the 2nd
law of thermodynamics. Cheeky!
You can choose to read this e-book on line, or you can download the files
and read them at your leisure, using your browser off-line, or - if you
can read ".exe" files you can download the following, which
is an e-book version for PCs.
Click to read the book on line. If, instead, you would like to down load
it as a PC e-book, then...
Aim,
Objectives and Activities of Systems Engineering -
A Guide
to Proper Practice
This is the original on which the IEE's Draft Guide
to the Proper Practice of Systems engineering was based. Patrick
Moore, John Boarder and myself formed an executive subcommittee
within the IEE's Systems Engineering Executive Committee and came
up with this as the basis for formal practice.
Unfortunately, the IEE - in its wisdom, and allegedly
in the person of one John Parnaby - decided that it did not approve
of the guide. apparently John felt that his company did not run
like this. No comment.
by John Boarder, Derek Hitchins and Patrick Moore, Originally published
as part of PSTW, above. You can read The
Guide on line, or if you prefer you may...
The Pyramid Builder’s Handbook is highly
original. It overlaps no other books on the subject of the ancient
Egyptian pyramids of the Old Kingdom: while most books explore
what is and what was, The Pyramid Builder’s Handbook examines
how and why they were built, based always on hard evidence.
As so often, the fact turns out stranger than the fiction.
The Pyramid Builder’s Handbook looks at
all the 3rd – 6th dynasty pyramids as an evolving set:
how they evolved, how they were built, how their builders were
recruited, their logistics, what they believed they were doing
and why. The author proves his assertions as he goes using basic
physics, biology, sociology, anthropology and psychology along
the way – nothing difficult, but no “dumbing-down”,
either.
View a taster of this fascinating book. The taster shows
the full table of contents, plus selections from several of the chapters,
so that you can get an idea of what is in the book..
The full version of the Pyramid Builder's Handbook is
available on CD-ROM This has 30 (yes, thirty) animation movies incorporated
as part of the book, to bring alive the scenes, the building, the stars
and even how they built the pyramids. Quite exceptional value at only
£19:95 plus £3:00 p&p.
Hemiunu was the architect of the Great Pyramid.
The book presents a translation and interpretation of his diaries,
discovered in 1994 in his tomb on the Western Cemetery at Giza.
The book is aimed at a wide audience, including
the “coffee-table” market. In keeping with this, it
is not presented in conventional narrative form, but as a collection
of illustrated topics, taken from the diaries. Many of the graphic
illustrations are presented on ancient papyrus, much of which
shows signs of damage and staining, having been recovered from
the tattered ancient scrolls with great difficulty by an International
Exploitation Team (IXT) in Paris. The book is a detective story:
many of the clues to how–and why–previously unexplained
features appear in the Great Pyramid are presented in earlier
topics, but their significance emerges only towards the grand
finale – the “topping out” of the Mound of Creation
at Giza.
