1. Complexity vs. Human Factorsin
System Engineering
SWISSED
8 September 2015
Andreas Trautmann
Manager MAIT Opto-Electronics & Instruments
RUAG Schweiz AG
RUAG Space, Zurich
Switzerland

2. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Intention of this presentation
Give you a stimulus for reflecting beyond your general
way of working in System Engineering…
…and give you some examples, out of my own
observation, where and how «Human Factors» work
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3. Complexity ? Project Line Planning Quality Controlling Configuration
Certification
Deliverables
Finance
Qualification
Deadlines
Margins
Resources
Specification
Reliability
Savings
Budget
Testing
Risks
Verification
Costumer
Supplier
Validation
Integrity
Reliability
Availability

4. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Does a model help to handle the complexity ?
V-model
Waterfall model
Model Based System Engineering
SysML
Scrum
CMMI
…..
Yes ! It helps to control complexity by providing
a frame of guidance…
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5. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Requirements/
Specification
Validation
Product
Control of complexity through clearly defined
Processes
Tasks
Roles
Responsibilities
V - Model
Verification

6. Complexity ? Models are usually giving us a good guidance
to be able to handle complexity

7. But: Complexity ? Things are as we perceive them !
Human Factors add up to it
Our attitude has a lot of impact on
the way of working.
Things are as we perceive them !

8. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Major hindering «Human Factors»:
Over-simplification
Lack of motivation to follow «the process»
Limitation orientation
Lack of focus on planning
Lack of focus on continuous re-planning
Hesitance to rely on others
Hesitance to delegate
Organizational overorientation
Island Thinking
Not adressing the source of the problem
Let’s look at some examples …
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9. Human Factor «(over)simplification»: Ah, that’s not soo complex, let’s just do it… or Let’s be pragmatic, let’s just do it… or Ah, don’t make it more complex…
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10. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
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11. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Chaos pendulum:
Coupling of simple
elements leads to
chaotic (unpredictable)
outcome
Simplification can make
things very complicated
if the context and the
coupling elements are
neglected (linking effects)
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12. Human Factor: «Motivation» (e. g
Human Factor: «Motivation» (e.g. to follow the process): Why follow a fullblown process ? or We know what we need to do ! or Let’s just do it !
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13. Human Factor «limitation oriented» instead of «solution oriented»: We do not have enough time… or We do not have enough resources… or The circumstances are bad… or The system is bad.. or We can not wait…
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14. No Time to repair the fence …
…since we are too busy to
catch the chicken
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15. Human Factor: «not seeing the necessity for (re)planning» Let us plan that later, when we know more… or We know what we need to do. Let’s just do it… or We lost a lot of time in the earlier project phases, let’s speed up in the final phase ! or Let’s just do it… !
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16. Human Factor «not planning the resources ahead of time»: We now have a resource problem to start the project there – let’s give it also to Alex, he has the most experience ! or We have to take out this resource - the other project has a higher priority or I do not have further resources…
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17. Why a process ? Why planning ?
Effort
The «usual» approach to do a project
Time
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18. Why a process ? Why planning ?
Effort
The «ideal» approach to do a project
Time
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19. Why a process ? Why planning ?
Effort
Plan before you act !
Follow the standard process !
Time
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20. The important / urgent diagram
preferably
work here
try to avoid to
slip into this area
higher importance
plan and
prioritize
try to avoid to
slip into this area
lower importance
distractions
interruptions
lower urgency
higher urgency
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21. Human Factor «hesitance to delegate or let other people do their job or rely on the outcome of others»: Before I explain this lengthy – I rather do it myself or They are way too formal… or They are always late… or We can not wait any longer, let’s just do it ….
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22. Human Factor «organizational overorientation»: This is not part of my job – somebody else has to do it …. or Let’s create a TEAM – Toll Ein Anderer Machts
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23. Responsibility ? Interfaces ?
The «over-the-wall» technique
Sales Design Production Customer
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24. Human Factor «hesitance to go to the source of a problem»: I told THEM a hundred times… but they just don’t listen and act… … who is THEM ? … are THEY really responsible ? … where is the source of the issue ? … who needs to adress it there ? … in which organisation ? … at which level ?
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25. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
Guiding cornerstones to handle complex situations and systems:
Some of these Human Factors are naturally present in
all of us and are mostly an individual mean to handle
complexity by REDUCING
We just have to be aware about these mechanisms !
Reflect
Be aware
Act accordingly
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26. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
12 Guiding cornerstones to handle complex situations and systems:
stay calm and perceive the bigger picture
think and then act
plan early and continuously monitor your planning consequently
use standards wherever you can (e.g. processes, models)
define chrystal clear roles, where clarity is lacking – who does what, when ?
set and communicate priorities
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27. Complexity vs. Human Factors in System Engineering
12 Guiding cornerstones to handle complex situations and systems:
7. know and respect your interfaces
8. delegate reasonable (e.g. ask if it is achievable)
9. try to find the source of the issue and solve there - instead of symptom fighting
10. communicate role-based and to the right organizational level
11. be pro-active (do not wait for the others)
12. never stop challenging your own attitude
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28. Questions ? Thank you for your time and attention ! Questions 28
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22/11/2018

29. Andreas Trautmann Manager MAIT BU Opto-Electronics & Instruments
RUAG Schweiz AG
RUAG Space
Schaffhauserstrasse 580
8052 Zürich – Switzerland
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22/11/2018