This 5-Day course addresses systems engineering as it is understood and practised by leading acquirer, developer and supplier organisations worldwide. Our Systems Engineering training provides an integrated approach to the set of management and technical disciplines, which combine to optimise system effectiveness, enhance project success and reduce risk.

INCOSE UK are exhibiting in the Professional Development Hub advising on Professional Registration/Certification as well as the benefits of INCOSE UK membership.

Here is something new: a site visit, in this case the systems integration laboratory where the Thameslink project is integrating and testing new ETCS and ATO technology in a simulated rail environment in Southwark. There will also be an opportunity to learn about the other phases of testing in the Hertford Loop and in the Thameslink core. We are grateful to Network Rail for the opportunity to explore the right hand side of the 'V' lifecycle and to demonstrate that it is possible to get one's hands dirty with more than whiteboard marker ink while doing systems engineering.

When Systems Engineering might not be the best approach Presented by Duncan Kemp Duncan will present work undertaken by a mixed team of academics and practitioners looking at the impact of applying systems approaches in different situations. Based upon the Cynefin framework, Duncan will describe the impact of applying systems engineering to simple, complicated, complex and chaotic situations. He will discuss the results of a 2014 survey of project professionals that looked at their preferred problem solving styles for different situations. Duncan will describe how Systems Engineer’s and Project Manager’s beliefs and organisational cultures are driving them to adopt the wrong approach for the situation they are facing. Duncan will then describe how successful practitioners are applying a two stage tailoring approach to ensure that their approach is matched to the problem situation. He will describe the critical first step of working out the problem situation and selecting an appropriate response. Duncan will present a functional failure mode of this first stage and illustrate the failures with a range of case studies. Finally Duncan will propose mitigations to reduce the likelihood that organisations will select the wrong approach. Duncan Kemp has over 25 years' experience as a systems engineer, including roles as Chief Systems Engineer in the UK Ministry of Defence and Department for Transport. Duncan was the lead author of the INCOSE UK Capability Systems Engineering Guide and was one of the authors of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Vision 2025. Duncan is a regular presenter at Systems Engineering conferences, including three best paper awards an INCOSE international conferences. Duncan is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He is currently the INCOSE UK Academic Director. Venue Venue is Room W1.30 This is in the Sir David Davies Building (For those who have visited us before, please note that this is NOT on Holywell Park, but it is on the main campus) You should park in Car Park 1, if arriving by car (the security guard on the gate will guide you). The West entrance is the closest to the location. You can use the interactive campus map by clicking on: http://maps.lboro.ac.uk/. Or see the attached image: follow the red line to the entrance, then follow signs inside the building. W1.30 is on the first floor. This event is open to non-members and there is no charge For more information, Contact Professor Michael Henshaw (m.j.d.henshaw@lboro.ac.uk)

INCOSE kicks off each year with its annual gathering of the membership to discuss and advance the state of the art of systems engineering. Spend several days of intense activities centered around technical content with volunteers who meet electronically during most of the year. This is the time to collaborate and celebrate in person. The prestigious Working Group Award winners are named at IW, as is the recipient of the Johns Hopkins INCOSE scholarship; and, newly elected officers and directors are installed. The gathering is capped off with an annual INCOSE Foundation Wine Tasting to raise money for Foundation activities. For more information visit the IW2015 Website

Paul has held senior positions in INCOSE, academia and the defence and rail sectors, which gives him an unusually broad viewpoint on good and not-so-good practice in managing interfaces. Paul will point out some some quite basic gaps in the way in which we manage interfaces and outline some specific problems about managing interfaces in rail before suggesting some best-practice heuristics and principles that may guide improved practice.

The main focus of this meeting will be professional development

This course combines a mixture of presentations, workshops and practice examinations. In particular the Q&A sessions ensure that any unclear topics are answered in a format that provides adequate time for the content to be mastered. All our courses are facilitated by world-class, reputable, qualified, expert leaders, who are highly experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with all aspects of the CSEP training. This interactive course will place you in the best position to pass your CSEP examination on the first attempt. To view the Brochure click here To Book A Place Click here

Please note the slightly non-standard start time. Oliver Bratton is Operations Director, European Business, for MTR Corporation Ltd and will provide his personal point of view about how systems thinking may be used to leverage rail technology to get the best outcome for passengers. If you are thinking of coming along, do try and get there at 1730H for for AGM. Our AGMs are quick and low-peril - no-one gets dragooned onto the committee - but they are your opportunity to hold us to account. If you might want to join the committee, however, we should be pleased to hear from you in advance - give me a call.