Ramakrishna Akella’s Post

New Systems Engineers! Be better at your job by knowing the difference between Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking. You need BOTH to design and realize great systems. Systems Engineering focuses on on three main areas: 1. Engineering an actual system. This means systems architecture, design, and layout. 2. The second piece is executing the systems engineering process. Needs, requirements, allocation and traceability, verification, and validation and final acceptance. This is well described in IEEE 15288 and the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook and other literature. #incose #ieee 3. The third aspect which many people don’t appreciate is a mix of the first two, ending with “Design-to-cost” to meet schedule. I’ve seen projects where they start with architecting based on needs, then go back to fill in requirements. Next they flesh out the architecture with the customer and have this mix of design-to-cost and tailored verification where the customer is happy with the product, cost and schedule. Maybe it’s not the real systems engineering process but the customers are happy with it and everyone moves on. You might see this more than you may realize - so this third blend is important to understand. SYSTEMS THINKING is slightly different. This is an approach or a mindset where we continually ask the question, what or who else does my system touch? Who has to operate it? Who has to build it? Who has to dispose of it, and more importantly Who has to fund it or purchase the end product? These questions will help us inform the systems engineering! It feeds the requirements!! Again, systems engineering builds the thing, systems thinking lets us do a great job. It is the mindset behind creating a great system. You need both to succeed long-term! Comment below what you think! Do you have other definitions for either systems thinking or systems engineering? Let me know in the comments. #systemsengineering #systemsthinking #requirements

New Systems Engineers! Be better at your job by knowing the difference between Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking. You need BOTH to design and realize great systems. Systems Engineering focuses on on three main areas: 1. Engineering an actual system. This means systems architecture, design, and layout. 2. The second piece is executing the systems engineering process. Needs, requirements, allocation and traceability, verification, and validation and final acceptance. This is well described in IEEE 15288 and the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook and other literature. #incose #ieee 3. The third aspect which many people don’t appreciate is a mix of the first two, ending with “Design-to-cost” to meet schedule. I’ve seen projects where they start with architecting based on needs, then go back to fill in requirements. Next they flesh out the architecture with the customer and have this mix of design-to-cost and tailored verification where the customer is happy with the product, cost and schedule. Maybe it’s not the real systems engineering process but the customers are happy with it and everyone moves on. You might see this more than you may realize - so this third blend is important to understand. SYSTEMS THINKING is slightly different. This is an approach or a mindset where we continually ask the question, what or who else does my system touch? Who has to operate it? Who has to build it? Who has to dispose of it, and more importantly Who has to fund it or purchase the end product? These questions will help us inform the systems engineering! It feeds the requirements!! Again, systems engineering builds the thing, systems thinking lets us do a great job. It is the mindset behind creating a great system. You need both to succeed long-term! Comment below what you think! Do you have other definitions for either systems thinking or systems engineering? Let me know in the comments. #systemsengineering #systemsthinking #requirements

New Systems Engineers! Be better at your job by knowing the difference between Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking. You need BOTH to design and realize great systems. Systems Engineering focuses on on three main areas: 1. Engineering an actual system. This means systems architecture, design, and layout. 2. The second piece is executing the systems engineering process. Needs, requirements, allocation and traceability, verification, and validation and final acceptance. This is well described in IEEE 15288 and the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook and other literature. #incose #ieee 3. The third aspect which many people don’t appreciate is a mix of the first two, ending with “Design-to-cost” to meet schedule. I’ve seen projects where they start with architecting based on needs, then go back to fill in requirements. Next they flesh out the architecture with the customer and have this mix of design-to-cost and tailored verification where the customer is happy with the product, cost and schedule. Maybe it’s not the real systems engineering process but the customers are happy with it and everyone moves on. You might see this more than you may realize - so this third blend is important to understand. SYSTEMS THINKING is slightly different. This is an approach or a mindset where we continually ask the question, what or who else does my system touch? Who has to operate it? Who has to build it? Who has to dispose of it, and more importantly Who has to fund it or purchase the end product? These questions will help us inform the systems engineering! It feeds the requirements!! Again, systems engineering builds the thing, systems thinking lets us do a great job. It is the mindset behind creating a great system. You need both to succeed long-term! Comment below what you think! Do you have other definitions for either systems thinking or systems engineering? Let me know in the comments. #systemsengineering #systemsthinking #requirements

Identify the Specific Obstacles: Pinpoint exactly what challenges you're facing in your network engineering role. Are they related to technical issues, project management, communication, or something else? Consult with Colleagues or Mentors: Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or peers who have experience in network engineering. They may have faced similar challenges in the past and can offer advice or guidance on how to overcome them. Continue Learning: Network engineering is a constantly evolving field, so staying up-to-date with the latest technologies, tools, and best practices is crucial. Invest time in ongoing learning through courses, certifications, online resources, or industry events. Troubleshoot Technical Issues: If your obstacles are technical in nature, use troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and resolve them. This might involve analyzing network logs, using diagnostic tools, or consulting documentation. Improve Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential in network engineering, both within your team and with other departments or stakeholders. Work on honing your communication skills, whether it's written communication for documenting network configurations or verbal communication for presenting technical information to non-technical audiences. Enhance Project Management Skills: If project management is a challenge, consider improving your project management skills. Learn about methodologies like Agile or Scrum, practice effective time management, and prioritize tasks to ensure projects stay on track. Seek Professional Development Opportunities: Look for professional development opportunities within your organization or industry. This might include attending workshops, conferences, or seminars, participating in networking events, or joining professional organizations related to network engineering. Take Ownership and Initiative: Show initiative by taking ownership of projects or tasks, even if they fall outside of your immediate responsibilities. Proactively seek out opportunities to contribute to the success of your team and organization. Stay Persistent and Resilient: Overcoming professional obstacles in network engineering may require time and effort. Stay persistent, remain resilient in the face of setbacks, and keep working towards finding solutions. Reflect and Iterate: Regularly reflect on your experiences, successes, and challenges in network engineering. Use this reflection to iterate on your approach, learn from past mistakes, and continually improve your skills and abilities.

The Value of IT Field Engineering: Why Our Work Matters 1. Connecting the World • We ensure the networks, systems, and technologies that keep businesses and individuals connected run smoothly, from communication tools to cloud services. 2. Solving Complex Problems • We tackle technical challenges head-on, quickly diagnosing and resolving issues to minimize downtime and keep operations running efficiently. 3. Enabling Innovation • Our work supports businesses in adopting new technologies, from installing cutting-edge hardware to implementing next-gen solutions that drive growth. 4. Enhancing Security • We play a key role in protecting systems and data, ensuring networks are secure and compliant with industry standards to safeguard businesses from cyber threats. 5. Supporting Business Success • By maintaining and optimizing essential infrastructure, we empower teams to work more effectively, boosting productivity and helping companies succeed. 6. Making Technology Accessible • We bridge the gap between complex tech and end users, ensuring that systems are user-friendly and accessible to people of all technical backgrounds. 7. Building Relationships • Through direct interactions with clients and coworkers, we build trust and become invaluable partners in problem-solving and improving systems. 8. Continuous Growth • IT Field Engineering offers constant learning opportunities, allowing us to expand our skills and advance in our careers as technology evolves. Conclusion IT Field Engineering is at the core of the digital world. We connect people, solve problems, and enable progress. The work we do is vital to businesses, communities, and the technology that shapes our future. Take pride in the impact we make every day!

Over the past year I have been interested in the value of systems engineering. I think the piece below frames this multidisciplinary approach extremely well. The NSF Engine winner from CO and WY under Mike Freeman has made good progress in building systems engineering capability in its Region of Service. They are also learning from Professor Terrence Chambers and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who have pioneered advances in this discipline within their state. #systemsengineering #energy #climate #solar

How do you see systems engineering principles being applied (or overlooked) in your own field? This post by Dan Goldin is exactly right and aligns perfectly with the principles of quality management established by gurus like Deming and Juran. The focus should always be on the system as a whole, rather than individual components. Businesses and operators must prioritize the seamless integration of components to ensure they work together effectively toward achieving a clear and unified purpose. As W. Edwards Deming famously said, “A bad system will beat a good person every time.” This underscores the importance of designing and managing systems that support success.

Very applicable to the much needed healthcare transformative solutions.

This post nails the essence of systems engineering—coherence across complexity. Here’s a concise breakdown: 1/Mission first: Everything starts with purpose. Design aligns with the system's ultimate goal, not isolated metrics. 2/Taming complexity: Systems engineering imposes structure on chaos: defining interfaces, ensuring compatibility, and anticipating failures. 3/Built for resilience: Great systems endure edge cases, disruptions, and real-world constraints, not just ideal conditions. 4/Precision iteration: Iterative processes with tight feedback loops drive design refinement and validation. 5/Invisible backbone: Systems engineering is the unseen force enabling rockets, networks, and infrastructure to perform seamlessly under pressure. It’s not just problem-solving ; it’s disciplined integration for real-world success. #SystemsEngineering #ComplexityManagement #ResilientDesign #MissionDriven #InnovationBackbone #IterativeExcellence

Systems engineering is not just about solving individual problems but creating coherence across complex systems for mission success. 🛠️ It focuses on alignment: Every subsystem, interface, and requirement must work in harmony to achieve the larger mission. 🎯 Purpose before technology: The starting point is defining the mission, not just chasing isolated performance metrics or tech solutions. 🌍 Real-world resilience: It's about designing solutions that thrive under real-world constraints, ensuring robustness and adaptability. #SystemsEngineering #MissionDriven #DeepTech 📌 Key takeaway: True systems engineering emphasizes architecting a big-picture strategy rather than optimizing parts in isolation. 🚀 Application: This approach applies to industries from aerospace to tech startups, enabling scalable and sustainable solutions. 💡 Reflection: How often do you define the purpose before diving into execution? ♻️ Repost if you enjoyed this post and follow me, César Beltrán Miralles , for more curated content about leadership!