The use of a systems engineering process guide to accelerate improvement in systems engineering application and expertise

A case study is presented of the use of a simple and intuitive guide at the Bristol site of Rolls-Royce plc as an on the job training tool for those new to using particular company advocated techniques. The set of techniques range from those that help develop a systemic problem understanding through to structured product characterisation and optimisation, and also process analysis and improvement. Use of the guide is supported by local engineering processes, on site systems engineering mentors, and guidance on individual technique use on the company intranet. It is intended that the guide be used as a discussion aid to critically reflect on which techniques to use on a particular task and will: increase the rate of use of the techniques by engineers, increase the quality of technique use by engineers, and accelerate the increase in the number of experienced systems engineering practitioners. The continuous gathering and sharing of evidence of the need for and benefit gained from the intervention, combined with the participative nature in which the intervention has been developed, has resulted in support for guide from all levels of the company and has resulted in its use spreading across all company sites within months of release. A validation study is ongoing to ensure the guide is having the intended effect, and to find ways the intervention can be improved.