Question

What are the inputs and outputs for functional analysis and allocation? Explain how inputs are transformed to outputs. In what life cycle phase(s) is functional analysis and allocation performed?

Answer 1

Functional Analysis(FA) :

FA divides system into small parts, is called functional element's , which describe what we want each part to do . At this point we don't want  in this point we don't want to limit the design choice, coz it might leave out the answer. In later steps we will identify alternatives, optimize them, and select the best ones to make up the complete system. The name Function comes from mathematical function, which act on an input value and produce a different output value. Similarly, in the Systems Engineering method, functions transform a set of I/p to a set of o/p.

There are different ways to record and display the functions which make up a system design. A Functional Flow Block Diagram is a popular graphical method. It uses a rectangular box to represent each function . Arrows represent flows or states of any type to and from the function. flows connect to other functions or to outside the system. By convention, i/p are shown on the left, and outputs are shown on the right. The function box itself transforms the inputs to the outputs. Mechanisms are the entities which perform the function, but which are not themselves transformed. They are normally shown by arrows at the bottom, and typically represent use of a device. Controls are inputs which command, limit, or direct the operation of the function, and are normally shown at the top. Function names are typically made up from an action verb and noun, like "chop wood", which summarizes the task, and are shown inside the box. A function number is usually included to uniquely identify it, since similar names may end up being used in different places in a project. The most common numbering method takes the number of a parent function, and adds a digit to that number for each sub-function.his allows tracing where a function is in the overall system simply by looking at its number.

The diagrams can be sequential, such as showing the steps of a production process; parallel, where different activities can happen at the same time; or looping, where there is feedback or iteration. More generally, the output of any function can lead to an input to any other function.