Systems Engineering Design Project (SE 6500 & SE 6510)

Overview

The Systems Engineering Project is the capstone experience designed to demonstrate mastery of Systems Thinking and Systems Engineering principles learned throughout your MSSE program. This independent project spans two consecutive semesters:

• SE 6500 – Systems Engineering Project Overview (Pre-project planning and preparation)
• SE 6510 – Systems Engineering Project Execution (Implementation and completion of the project)

Important:

• SE 6500 must be completed prior to starting SE 6510 (cannot be taken concurrently).

• Project Scope & Requirements

  Project Categories

  Your project must fall into one of the following categories:

  Develop & Design: Applying systems engineering methods to create and design a new complex system. Continuous Improvement: Evaluating and recommending improvements to an existing complex system.

   

  Address relevant system characteristics such as safety, scalability, reliability, and supportability.

  Advisors may request optional deliverables such as test planning, cost analysis, modeling, interfaces, and quality reports.

  • Conceptual Design Report (CDR)
  • Trade Study (TS)
  • Risk Management Report (RMR)
  • System Specification (A-Spec) (as needed)
  • Final Report (FR)
  • Oral Presentation (OP)
     

  
  Clearly defining your category is essential, as it sets expectations and required deliverables.

  Required Project Components

  Core deliverables include:

  Requirements Analysis Report (RAR) / Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Functional Analysis Report (FAR) (as needed)
• Selecting Your Project

  Project Selection Criteria

  Projects should address complex, interdisciplinary systems, and can be connected to your professional role, community, or personal innovation. Selection criteria include:

  • Scope: Involve multiple subsystems and interdisciplinary solutions.
  • Domain Knowledge: Leverage your professional expertise.
  • Demonstrable Need: Clearly valuable to stakeholders beyond personal interest.
  • Feasibility: Realistically achievable within the project timeline.
  • System Focus: Must require comprehensive systems engineering application.
     

  Avoid common pitfalls such as overly simple projects, excessively ambitious goals, purely software solutions, or simple integrations of off-the-shelf components.

• Project Proposal (SE 6500)

  Project Proposal Criteria

  Your detailed project proposal must be submitted and approved by the fourth week of SE 6510. Your proposal must clearly define:

  • Section 1: Need for the System
    • Clearly articulate the system problem and develop a strong business case.
  • Section 2: Project Charter
    • Outline feasibility, benefits, initial Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and preliminary management plan.
  • Section 3: Analysis of Alternatives
    • Evaluate possible solutions, provide preliminary diagrams, identify stakeholders, and outline needs.

  
  Faculty advisor approval is required via Canvas.

   

• Faculty Guidance & Support

  Faculty Advisors and Industry Mentors

  • Each student receives guidance from a dedicated faculty advisor and possibly an industry mentor.
  • Students are required to maintain bi-weekly communication with advisors using Canvas.
  • Advisors provide iterative feedback throughout the project.

   

• Final Report & Oral Presentation (SE 6510)

  Final Report Requirements

  Your comprehensive final report should include:

  • Executive Summary
  • Project Background
  • Detailed Project Investigation (methods, challenges, solutions)
  • Lessons Learned
  • Summary of Conclusions & Recommendations

  Reports should be professionally formatted and written clearly for use by future project teams.

  Oral Presentation Requirements

  • Duration: 60 minutes, including Q&A
  • Presentation delivered via an approved format (e.g., PowerPoint)
  • Critique session focusing on project outcomes and lessons learned
  • Upload final materials to Canvas at least 48 hours before your scheduled presentation
• Grading Rubric

  Grading

  • Application and understanding of core Systems Engineering concepts
  • Quality and depth of project documentation
  • Effectiveness in project management and leadership
  • Oral presentation and ability to defend project outcomes
• Online Presentation Requirements

  • Canvas is the primary tool for project management and submissions.
  • Reliable internet connection, webcam, and microphone are required for virtual presentations.

• Examples

  • Sample Projects
  • Appendices: Detailed guidelines, acceptable project topics, common deficiencies, and grading breakdowns are available in your Canvas project resources.