INCOSE- LA is having a speaker meeting on April 9: the speaker is Mr. Sam Bertic on Systems Engineering Tools: Benefits of Automation. This meeting will also be available online for virtual attendance.
For more information, see the INCOSE-LA meeting announcement.
Direct link for virtual attendance (goes live at approximately 6:00PM on April 9)
Abstract: The automation of various aspects of the systems engineering processes through the use of software applications has been in practice for many years. Both commercial and home-grown tools have been developed that automate documentation, reporting, tracking, and change control. The more sophisticated tools capture functional and hierarchical diagramming, parametric analysis, and simulation. The features and benefits are as varied as the number of programs using them. This presentation will highlight several case studies, identify the capabilities of the tools used, and highlight the benefits and pitfalls. To reinforce the findings a survey will be conducted of the INCOSE-LA membership regarding SE tool usage by the members.
This survey will include:
• What is being used (specific tools and general types)
• Extent of use on programs/organization
• Desired results/products from tool deployment
• Successes and failures
A review of previous tool studies and the efforts towards classification and standardization will also be presented. The final summarization will provide a listing of key features found desirable and beneficial from the empirical data presented.
Based on the results of the tool usage analysis and interest of the membership, INCOSE-LA will entertain the concept of an SE Tool Fair that will invite and make available many different products for the membership to view and discuss with the vendors.
About the Speaker:
Sam Bertic’s career started in Systems Engineering at NAVELEX in San Diego in 1977. He moved to Texas with E-Systems Inc. in 1980. He spent three years in digital design and six years as a systems engineer. He moved to San Diego with General Dynamics in 1988 as a test manager before the division was sold. He then entered the SE tools business when he joined Zycad Corp., which marketed DOORS in 1992.
Sam went on to work for two other tool vendors – TD Technologies (SLATE) and Integrated Chipware (RTM). He rejoined industry with Northrop Grumman in 2001. Sam spent five years at Northrop Grumman as an SE Process Improvement IPT lead and as an SE manager on the B-2 bomber. He then moved into Systems Engineering consulting doing requirements analysis, modeling, and architecting.
Currently Sam is with Vitech Corporation, doing sales and support for Vitech’s CORE MBSE automation software.
Sam Bertic earned a BSEE from San Diego State University and a MS in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University. In 2009 he earned the Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) distinction from INCOSE.