Question

Valles Global Industries has decided to address the issue of affordable housing. To do so, they have decided to attack it using systems engineering strategies. Thus, you have been assigned to develop a first-cut assessment of how to proceed.

Answer 1

For any technical work, especially the engineering works, the principles of systems engineering could be utilized. Systems Engineering involves a systematic approach to any engineering problem, right from the start to finish. It is a set of both technical processes as well as technical management processes.

As it is mentioned in the question, systems engineering approach could be utilized in the affordable housing project as well. The project might involve, sourcing of suitable funds for project, selection of appropriate beneficiary people, all the housing construction works, appropriate approvals from governing authorities etc.

The section below describes an systems engineering strategy assessment for the project. The systems engineering strategy involves following elements:

- analyzing the monetary, technical and other benefits the SE approach may offer the project. SE approach in this project offers significant reduction in cost, time, manpower and improve efficiency due to scheduling of activities before hand.

- This project has multiple entities involved. The approach offers detailed pre-planning of activities, that offers clarity during construction, approval and in housing allotment to beneficiaries.

- Responsibilities are assigned during planning stage, that avoids any role clashes during the execution of project. This is a significant advantage of using SE approach, as such any such clashes could adversely affect the progress.

- SE activity is performed by a dedicated systems engineering team, under the supervision of project manager.

- Systems Engineering team communicates to the employees incharge at the start of project, to explain clearly what is expected out of them in the project, and the approach towards the project. SE team interacts with the execution team throughout the project, to ensure SE plans are implemented efficiently.

Above mentioned points are the first cut assessment of strategies for affordable housing project. It can be developed based on the details of the project such as budget, time frame, labor availability etc.