Courses:

In establishing the Engineering Systems Division, MIT has embarked on a bold experiment -- bringing together diverse areas of expertise into what is designed to be a new field of study. In many respects, the full scale and scope of Engineering Systems as a field is still emerging. This seminar is simultaneously designed to codify what we presently know and to give direction for future development. In this spirit, the entire syllabus should be viewed as a living document -- subject to adjustment based on student and faculty input throughout the term.

Class Session Pro-Forma (3 hours)
Introduction and Overview (5-10 minutes)
Seminar Faculty or Guest Presentation (30 minutes)
Discussion (20 minutes)
Book Reviews (5 minutes x 3)
Break
Seminar Faculty or Guest Presentation or Student Presentation (30 minutes)
Discussion (20 minutes)
Student Presentation (30 minutes)
Discussion (20 minutes)
Next Steps/Course Logistics (5-10 minutes)

Learning Objectives Pro-Forma -- ESD Foundations

• Basic Literacy: Understanding of core concepts and principles -- base level of literacy on the various aspects of engineering systems
• Historical Roots: Understanding of historical/intellectual roots of key concepts and principles in engineering systems
• Critical Analysis: Ability to critically assess research and scholarship aimed at furthering knowledge in a particular aspect of engineering systems
• Links Across Domains: Ability to identify links/connections across different domains relevant to engineering systems

Learning Objectives Pro-Forma -- ESD in Context

• Basic Literacy: Understanding of key behavioral and structural aspects of the given context/setting -- base level of literacy on the key readings and concepts concerning the given context/setting
• Historical Roots: Understanding of historical/intellectual roots of key concepts, principles, and historical turning points associated with the given context/setting
• Critical Analysis: Ability to critically assess research and scholarship aimed at furthering knowledge in this particular context/setting
• Links Across Domains: Ability to identify links/connections across different contexts/settings and to foundation principles

Please provide 2-3 articles or book chapters as advance reading at least one week prior to participation in the seminar. If appropriate, please select one example of early work on this topic and one or two examples of more current work in this area.

This syllabus is a living document -- readings will be added throughout the term, guests will be adjusted based on availability, and presentation topics will be added or modified. Students and colleagues are encouraged to contribute suggested additions, adjustments or deletions throughout the term.

Week 1: Introduction and Overview

Invited Guest: Dan Roos

Required Readings:

• ESD Internal Symposium: Symposium Committee Overview Paper. 2002.
• Hughes, Thomas. Rescuing Prometheus: Four Monumental Projects that Changed the Modern World. New York: Vintage Books, 1998. Chap. 3, 4, 5 and 7.
• ESD Internal Symposium Paper: Mindell on Historical Perspectives on Engineering Systems. 2002.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Historical Perspectives on Engineering Systems as a Field
• Uncertainty, Complexity, and other Core Concepts Defining Engineering Systems as a Field

Recommended Readings:

• Hughes, Thomas. Networks of Power: Electrification in Western Society: 1880-1930. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1983.

Invited Guests: David Mindell

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Hughes, Thomas. Networks of Power.
• Hughes, Thomas. Rescuing Prometheus.

Required Readings:

• ESD Internal Symposium: Moses on "The Anatomy of Large Scale Systems." 2002.
• ESD Internal Symposium: Sterman on Systems Dynamics and Systems Thinking. 2002.
• Sterman, J. D. "Learning In and About Complex Systems." System Dynamics Review 10, 2-3 (1994): 291-330.
• Oliva, R., and J. Sterman. "Cutting Corners and Working Overtime: Quality Erosion in the Service Industry." Management Science 47, 7 (2001): 894-914.
• Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. New York: Doubleday, 1990. Chap. 6, 10 and Appendix 2.
• von Bertalanffy, L. General Systems Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. 1968. Chap. 1 and 2.

Recommended Readings:

• Flood, R. L., and E. R. Carson. Dealing with Complexity. 1988.
• Repenning, N., and J. Sterman. "Capability Traps and Self-Confirming Attribution Errors in the Dynamics of Process Improvement." Administrative Science Quarterly (2002).
• Laszlo, Ervin. The Systems View of the World: A Holistic Vision for Our Time. Hampton Press, 1996. 

Guests/Faculty Topics:

• Systems Thinking -- Lessons from Systems Dynamics
• The Role of Systems Thinking in the Field of Engineering Systems

Invited Guest: Joel Moses, John Sterman

Student Presentation Topics:

• Systems Thinking in Theory versus Systems Thinking in Practice
• Segmented, Hierarchical, Linear Thinking, and Other Alternatives to Systems Thinking

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline. 1990.
• Sterman. Business Dynamics.
• Flood, R. L., and E. R. Carson. Dealing with Complexity. 1988.
• von Bertalanffy, L. General Systems Theory. 1968.

Required Readings:

• Whitney, D. Chapter 14 from upcoming book.
• Whitney, D. Nippodenso Observations.
• Pahl, and Beitz. Engineering Design -- A Systematic Approach. 2nd ed. 1996. Chap. 1 and 6.

Recommended Readings:

• Hubka, and Eder. Theory of Technical Systems. 1988.
• Blanchard, and Fabrycky. Systems Engineering and Analysis. 1981.
• Chestnut. Systems Engineering Methods. 1967.
• Grady, J. O. Systems Requirements Analysis. 1993.
• Grady, J. O. Systems Integration. 1994.
• Grady, J. O. System Validation and Verification. 1998.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Systems Engineering in Context
• Assembly and Product Architecture

Invited Guest: Dan Whitney

Student Presentation Topics:

• Distinguishing Systems, Sub-Systems, and System Boundaries for Systems Engineering Practice
• Comparing and Contrasting the Structure and Operation of the Systems Engineering Function Across Different Industry Contexts

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Pahl, and Beitz. Engineering Design -- A Systematic Approach. 2nd ed. 1996.
• Hubka, and Eder. Theory of Technical Systems. 1988.
• Blanchard, and Fabrycky. Systems Engineering and Analysis. 1981.
• Chestnut. Systems Engineering Methods. 1967.
• Grady, J. O. Systems Requirements Analysis. 1993.
• Grady, J. O. Systems Integration. 1994.
• Grady, J. O. System Validation and Verification. 1998.

• Carlson, J. M., and J. Doyle. "Complexity and Robustness." P NATL ACAD SCI USA 99: 2538-2545 Supplement 1 (19 Feb. 2002).
• Csete M., and J. Doyle. "Reverse Engineering of Biological Complexity." Science 295, 5560 (1 Mar. 2002): 1664-1669.
• Baumol, William. The Free-Market Innovation Machine. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002.
• Utterback, Jim. Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation. Boston: The Harvard Business School Press, 1996.

Recommended Readings:

• Clark, Kim, and T. Fujimoto. Product Development Performance Strategy, Organization, and Management in the World Auto Industry. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1990.
• Ulrich, and Eppinger. Product Design & Development. Selections.
• Otto, and Wood. Product Design. 2001.
• Suh. Axiomatic Design. 2001.
• Christianson, Clayton. Innovator's Dilemma.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Fragility and Robustness in Complex Systems
• Government Investment in Research and Development

Invited Guests: Dan Hastings, John Doyle

Student Presentation Topics:

• Re-Designing/Re-Structuring Systems for Product Design
• System Boundaries and Interactions and their Relevance in Technology Implementation

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Baumol, William. The Free-Market Innovation Machine. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002.
• Clark, Kim, and T. Fujimoto. Product Development Performance Strategy, Organization, and Management in the World Auto Industry. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1990.
• Utterback on The Dynamics of Innovation. 1996.
• Ulrich, and Eppinger. Product Design & Development. Selections.
• Otto, and Wood. Product Design. 2001.
• Suh. Axiomatic Design. 2001.

Required Readings:

• ESD Internal Symposium: Olivier de Weck on Isoperformance.
• Lessig. Code. 1999.

Recommended Readings:

• Galbraith. Organizational Design.
• Alexander, Ishikawa, and Silverstein. A Pattern Language. 1977.
• Rechtin, E. System Architecting.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Establishing a Common Language and Set of Methods for Systems Design and Systems Architecture

Invited Guests: Olivier de Weck

Student Presentation Topics:

• A Critical Analysis of the Contributions (enabling and constraining) made by Well-Known Systems Architects (such as Taiichi Ohno, W. Edwards Deming, General Marshall, Robert McNamara, Steven Jobs, Bill Gates, or others)
• Principles of System Architecting -- An Overview

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Galbraith. Organizational Design.
• Alexander, Ishikawa, and Silverstein. A Pattern Language. 1977.
• Lessig. Code. 1999.
• Rechtin. System Architecting.

Required Readings:

• Murman, Earll, Tom Allen, Kirkor Bozdogan, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Hugh McManus, Debbie Nightingale, Eric Rebentisch, Tom Shields, Fred Stahl Myles Walton, Joyce Warmkessel, Stanley Weiss, and Sheila Widnall. Lean Enterprise Value: Insights from MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan, 2002. Chap. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11.
• Murman, Earll. "Thoughts on System Engineering." 1997.
• ESD Internal Symposium: Murman, Earll, and Thomas J. Allen. "Engineering Systems: An Aircraft Perspective." 2002.
• MIT Aero/Astro Department. "Strategic Plan."

Recommended Readings:

• Rich, B. R., and L. Janos. Skunk Works. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1994.
• Patillo, D. Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 1998.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• The Historical Development and Future Prospects for Engineering Systems in the Aerospace Industry

Invited Guest: Earll Murman

Student Presentation Topics:

• Compare and Contrast Engineering Systems Practice in Commercial Versus Defense Sectors of the Industry (or in Air Frames versus Engines versus Avionics versus Space Sectors)
• The Role of the Skunk Works Operations in Extended Aerospace Systems

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Murman, Earll, Tom Allen, Kirkor Bozdogan, Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Hugh McManus, Debbie Nightingale, Eric Rebentisch, Tom Shields, Fred Stahl Myles Walton, Joyce Warmkessel, Stanley Weiss, and Sheila Widnall. Lean Enterprise Value: Insights from MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative. New York: Palgrave/Macmillan, 2002.
• Rich, B. R., and L. Janos. Skunk Works. Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1994.
• Patillo, D. Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 1998.

Required Readings:

• Holland. Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems. 1992.
• Internal Symposium: Lloyd, Seth. "Complex Systems: A Review."
• Internal Symposium: Sussman, Joe. "Collected Views on Complexity and Systems."

Recommended Readings:

• Casti, John. Complex-ification: Exploring a Paradoxical World Through the Science of Surprise. New York: Harper Collins, 1994.
• Waldrop, M. Mitchell. Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos. 1992.
• Wolfram. A New Kind of Science.
• Bak, Per. How Nature Works. 1997.
• Santa Fe Institute Studies in the Sciences of Complexity -- multiple volumes.
• Gell-Mann, Murry. "The Quark and The Jaguar."

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Core Concepts from the Study of the Sciences of Complexity

Invited Guest: Seth Lloyd, Joe Sussman, David Mindell

Student Presentation Topics:

• The Potential for Application of Output from the Sciences of Complexity to Engineering, Management, and Policy Research
• A Critical Analysis of the Emergence of Complexity Science as a Field of Study

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Holland. Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems. 1992.
• Waldrop, M. Mitchell. Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos. 1992.
• Wolfram. A New Kind of Science.
• Bak, Per. How Nature Works. 1997.

Required Readings:

• Trist, Eric. The Evolution of Socio-Technical Systems. 1982.
• Thomas Kochan and Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld on Socio-Technical Systems.

Recommended Readings:

• Ackoff, Russell, and Fred Emery. Purposeful Systems. 1972.
• Emery, Fred, and Eric Trist. Socio-Technical Systems and Social Ecology. 1973.
• Pava, Cal. Socio-Technical Systems. 1986.
• Hackman, Richard. Job Design.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Socio-Technical Systems
• An "Engineering Systems" View of "Systems Engineering" and "Systems Architecture"
• Additional mid-point calibration on Engineering Systems with Thomas Hughes as special guest

Invited Guests: Thomas Hughes

Student Presentation Topics:

• A Critical Assessment of Socio-Technical Systems Design Principles

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Emery, Fred, and Eric Trist. Socio-Technical Systems and Social Ecology. 1973.
• Hackman, Richard. Job Design.

Required Readings:

• Ben-Haim, Y. Information-Gap Decision Theory. 2001. Chap. 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12.
• Internal ESD Symposium: Richard De Neufville on "Real Options."

Recommended Readings:

• Kahneman, Slovic, and K. Tversky. Judgment Under Uncertainty. 1982.
• Ang, and Tang. "Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design." Vol. 1 Basic Principles. 1975.
• Larichev, and Moshikovich. Verbal Decision Analysis for Unstructured Problems. 1997.
• Catalani, M. S., and G. F. Clerico. Decision Making Structures: Dealing with Uncertainty within Organizations. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1996.
• Lindberg, H. E. "An Evaluation of Convex Modelling for Multimode Dynamic Buckling." ASME Journal Applied Mechanics 59 (1992): 929-936.
• Soong, T. T. "Convex Models in Seismic Response of Structures. (Approx. title)" Engineering Structures 18, 5: 341-350.
• Shinozuka. ASCE Journal Engineering Mechanics 96 (1970): 729-738.
• Ganzerli, S., and C. P. Pantelides. "Optimum Structural Design via Convex Model Superposition." Computers and Structures 74, 6 (2000): 639-647.
• Pantelides, C. P., and S. Ganzerli. "Design of Trusses Under Uncertain Loads Using Convex Models." ASCE Journal Structural Engineering 124, 3 (1998): 318-329.
• March, James G. "Bounded Rationality, Ambiguity, and the Engineering of Choice." In Decision Making: Descriptive, Normative, and Prescriptive Interactions. Edited by David E. Bell, Howard Raiffa, and Amos Tversky. Cambridge University Press, 1988.
• Shackle, G. L. S. Epistemics and Economics: A Critique of Economic Doctrines. Transaction Publishers, 1992. Originally published by Cambridge University Press, 1972.
• Keynes, John Maynard. Treatise on Probability. Especially the chapter on "The Principle of Indifference" (which I think is Chapter 4).
• Allison, Graham. Essence of a Decision.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Decision Theory and Complex Engineering Systems
• Real Options in the Design and Development of Complex Engineering Systems

Invited Guest: Richard deNeufville, Yakov Ben-Haim

Student Presentation Topics:

• Critical Decisions in Complex Engineering Systems Not Easily Addressed Through Quantitative Analytic Methods
• Embedded Assumptions About Decision Making and Risk Management in the Engineering Systems Literature and Practice

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Kahneman, Slovic, and K. Tversky. Judgment Under Uncertainty. 1982. Chap. 1, 2, 6 and 35.
• Bell, David E., Howard Raiffa, and Amos Tversky, eds. Decision Making: Descriptive, Normative, and Prescriptive Interactions. Cambridge University Press, 1988.
• Ben-Haim, Y. Information-Gap Decision Theory. 2001.
• Ang, and Tang. Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design. Vol. 1 Basic Principles, 1975.
• Larichev, and Moshikovich. Verbal Decision Analysis for Unstructured Problems. 1997.
• Catalani, M. S., and G. F. Clerico. Decision Making Structures: Dealing with Uncertainty within Organizations. Berlin: Springer Verlag, 1996.

Required Readings:

• Kenneth Oye and Jim Foster on "Public Environmental Regulation and Private Business Risk."
• Jim Foster on "The Diesel Car Option: Challenges and Opportunities for Competitive Advantage."
• Lambright. Governing Science and Technology. 1976.
• Tom Kochan on the "Dunlop Commission."

Recommended Readings:

• Baumol. The Free-Market Innovation Machine.

Guests/Faculty Topics:

• Private/Public Interactions Driving Mutual Gains in Regulatory Systems
• The Dynamics of Gridlock in Regulatory Systems

Invited Guests: Tom Kochan, Jim Foster

Student Presentation Topics:

• Influence of Regulation on Technology Implementation
• Influence of Government R&D on Economic Development

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Lambright. Governing Science and Technology. 1976.
• Baumol. The Free-Market Innovation Machine.

Required Readings:

• Beer, Michael. Organizational Change and Development: A Systems View. Santa Monica, CA: Goodyear Publishing, 1980. Chap. 1, 2, and 3.
• Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Joel, and Kevin Ford. Valuable Disconnects: Integrating the Bold Visions and Harsh Realities of Organizational Learning Systems. New York: Oxford University Press. Chap. 1, 2 and 3.
• Hammer, and Champy. Re-engineering the Corporation. 1993. Chap. 1.
• Tichy, Noel. Managing Strategic Change: Technical, Political and Cultural Dynamics. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1983. Chap. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
• Bob Thomas on "Crucibles of Leadership" in the Harvard Business Review (2002).
• Also see Chapter 4 of Lean Enterprise Value (from an earlier reading on Aerospace).

Recommended Readings:

• Deming, W. Edwards. Out of the Crisis. 1982.
• Imai, M. Kaizen: The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986.
• Pande, Neuman, and Cavanagh. Six Sigma. 2000.
• Thomas, Robert. What Machines Can't Do.
• Weber. Transforming Large Socio-Technical Systems Toward Sustainability. 2001.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Leading Large-Scale Systems Change Initiatives

Invited Guest: Robert Thomas

Student Presentation Topics:

• Re-Engineering versus Kaizen: Competing or Complementary Change Strategies?
• A Critical Assessment of Socio-Technical Systems Design Principles

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Hammer, and Champy. Re-engineering the Corporation. 1993.
• Thomas, Robert. What Machines Can't Do.
• Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Joel, and Kevin Ford. Valuable Disconnects: Integrating the Bold Visions and Harsh Realities of Organizational Learning Systems. New York: Oxford University Press.

Readings:

• Nye, Joseph. The Paradox of American Power: Why the World's Only Superpower Can't Go It Alone. New York: Oxford University Press, January 2002.
• Stiglitz, Joseph. Globalization and its Discontents. 2001.
• Peter Senge on Sustainability in the Sloan Management Review.

Recommended Readings:

• Michael Piore and Charles Sabel on The Second Industrial Divide (1984).
• Forester, Jay. Limits to Growth and Urban Dynamics. 1969.
• Drucker, Peter. Post-Capitalist Society. 1993.
• Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Joel, Michio Nitta, Betty Barrett, Nejib Belhedi, Simon Chow, Takashi Inaba, Iwao Ishino, Wen-Jeng Lin, Michael Moore, William Mothersell, Jennifer Palthe, Shobha Ramanand, Mark Strolle, and Arthur Wheaton; with Cheryl Coutchie, Seepa Lee, and Stacia Rabine. Knowledge-Driven Work: Unexpected Lessons from Japanese and United States Work Practices. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Sterman, J. D. and L. Booth Sweeney. "Cloudy Skies: Assessing Public Understanding of Global Warming." System Dynamics Review 18, 4 (2002): 207-240.

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Sustainable Development in Global Systems
• The Distinctive Properties of Global Systems

Invited Guest: Peter Senge

Student Presentation Topics:

• Global Economic and Financial Systems
• Global Production Systems and Global Supply Chains
• Globally Dispersed Product Development Systems
• Global Environmental Systems

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Forester, Jay. Limits to Growth and Urban Dynamics. 1969.
• Drucker, Peter. Post-Capitalist Society. 1993.
• Michael Piore and Charles Sabel on The Second Industrial Divide (1984).
• Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, Michio Nitta, Betty Barrett, Nejib Belhedi, Simon Chow, Takashi Inaba, Iwao Ishino, Wen-Jeng Lin, Michael Moore, William Mothersell, Jennifer Palthe, Shobha Ramanand, Mark Strolle, and Arthur Wheaton; with Cheryl Coutchie, Seepa Lee, and Stacia Rabine. Knowledge-Driven Work: Unexpected Lessons from Japanese and United States Work Practices. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
• Stiglitz, Joseph. Globalization and its Discontents. 2001.

Readings:

• Kauffman, Stuart. Origins of Order: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
• Axelrod. The Complexity of Cooperation. 1997.
• Epstein, and Axtell. Growing Artificial Societies. 1996. Chap. 1, 2 and 6.

Recommended Readings:

• Spear, S., and H. K. Bowen. "Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System." The Harvard Business Review 97 (September-October, 1999).

Guests/Faculty Topic:

• Insights for Complex Engineering Systems from Evolutionary Theory
• Lessons from Selected Models Simulating Complex Engineering Systems

Invited Guest: Special Presentations on Simulation Models

Student Presentation Topics:

• The Potential for applying Agent Modeling Methodolgies to Complex Engineering Systems
• "Can Complex Engineering Systems Have Underlying Genetic Codes?" Is the biological analogy useful in understanding Engineering Systems?

Books to Consider for Student Book Reviews:

• Kauffman, Stuart. Origins of Order: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
• Epstein, and Axtell. Growing Artificial Societies. 1996.
• Axelrod. The Complexity of Cooperation. 1997.

Invited Guest: Thomas Hughes