Requirements engineering is the process of discovering, documenting and managing the requirements for a computer-based system. The goal of requirements engineering is to produce a set of system requirements which, as far as possible, is complete, consistent, relevant and reflects what the customer actually wants. Although this ideal is probably unattainable, the use of a systematic approach based on engineering principles leads to better requirements than the informal approach which is still commonly used.

This book presents a set of guidelines which reflect the best practice in requirements engineering. Based on the authors’ experience in research and in software and systems development, these guidelines explain in an easy-to-understand way how you can improve your requirements engineering processes.

The guidelines are applicable for any type of application and, in general, apply to both systems and software engineering. The guidelines here range from simple ‘common sense’ to those which propose the introduction of complex new methods. The guidelines and process improvement schemes have been organised so that you can pick and choose according to your problems, goals and available budget. There are few dependencies between guidelines so you can introduce them in any order in your organisation.

Guidelines presented in the book

• are consistent with ISO 9000 and CMM
• are ranked with cost/benefit analysis
• give implementation advice
• can be combined and applied to suit your organisation’s needs
• are supported by a web page pointing to RE tools and resources

Written in a practical, easy to understand style, this text provides a step-by-step guide to System Analysis and Engineering by introducing concepts, principles, and practices via a progression of topical, lesson oriented chapters.

Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of system analysis, design, and development, and includes definitions of key terms, examples, author’s notes, key principles, and challenging exercises that teach readers to apply their knowledge to real world systems.

Concepts and methodologies presented can be applied by organizations in business sectors such as transportation, construction, medical, financial, education, aerospace and defense, utilities, government, and others, regardless of size.

An excellent undergraduate or graduate-level textbook in systems analysis and engineering, this book is written for both new and experienced professionals who acquire, design, develop, deploy, operate, or support systems, products, or services.

'Systems Engineering' focuses on systems methodology, design, and management.  The contents offer technical insight for professionals concerned with systems engineering and management and to students who need to master the steps to effective systems engineering. Throughout, the book emphasizes the process of systems engineering rather than the product of systems engineering, recognizing that proper attention to processes almost inevitably leads to higher quality products.

'Systems Engineering' addresses the fundamental considerations associated with the engineering of large scale systems. Divided into two sections, the first part deals with systems methodology, design and management including a detailed examination of operational and task level system quality assurance through configuration management, audits and reviews, standards and systems integration. The second part discusses a variety of systems design and management approaches, particularly those concerned with system effectiveness evaluation and the human role in systems.

The author presents the results of his own experience in using systems ideas, assembles a coherent account of their development and application, and examines the relationship of particular systems methodologies and concepts to the nature of the problems encountered.

It emphasizes problem solving and surveys the types of modeling languages appropriate to various parts of a problem spectrum in systems design. Stresses the development of a modeling language and its applications, particularly to the (soft) less well-defined/ill-structured problems, which often require a non-mathematical language based on the concept of a human activity system.

Specific problems in actual situations are discussed, including the design of a services complex, services systems and an operational system, as are the analysis of business information and role analysis.

There is also a study of management control that includes discussion of concepts that illustrate and emphasize the distinction made between management and process control. Features exercises that will help develop skills in picture building and problem solving.

A basic text for courses that involve the use of models and methods in the engineering design of systems, this book features topics concerning the systems engineering process and the modelling and design fundamentals needed to support this process. Industry uses many of the methods and models discussed in this book, but seldom in the integrated manner presented here.

Taking the approach that performing systems engineering activities involves modelling of many different types, this text aims to enable students to learn by experimenting with such modelling techniques. A number of generally understood systems are used to convey these modelling concepts and test the students’ ability to create realistic models.