Register via Eventbrite Kindly hosted by Systems and Control Research Centre School of Mathematics Computer Science and Engineering City, University of London Bio After starting his career as a train driver, Scott Meadows moved into operations and performance at Network Rail where he worked with cross-industry groups to improve the industry’s safety and reliability performance. He is currently a principal consultant at Altran, working on the Programme and Systems Integration team for the Thameslink programme. Drawing on the doctoral research he started at Leeds University at the Institute of Transport Studies, he has written a systems model of power based on his experiences in the UK Railway Industry. Synopsis Power is like gravity and electricity. We know it exists through its effects; we often however, explore its consequences rather than the medium itself. We all work in or for organisations where the perception of power is distributed among many actors and, when we get that distribution wrong, the effects are adverse. How do we explore power, its nature and basis, then? Can we use systems thinking to understand the power environment and to predict and prevent problems that may arise from the perception of power distributions? The answer is yes: through system dynamic modelling. Here we can start to model our power environment, explored through three recognised faces of power, how power is developed and exercised. But we can also add a fourth face of power, in terms of system feedback, an element that is often overlooked. This is the Special Theory of Holes. It is a systems dynamic model of the exercise of power, taking the inputs to ‘A’ who exercises (Overt, Covert and Latent power), over ‘B’, who has power exercised over them, to achieve something, classed as an output. However nothing exists in isolation. ‘B’ sometimes responds in ways we don’t account for or fully understand: this is their feedback to the system of power exercised by A. If we want to improve working conditions and the efficiency and efficacy of our organisations, dismissing system feedback can be costly. It is here where modelling the power environment can help us understand the exercise of power in play, and identify if it is reducing our overall capability. Scott hopes that the presentation will offer systems thinkers a vision of how they may be able to use their skills to deal with problems at work that they previously thought that systems thinking could not reach. Register via Eventbrite

To review work on Service Definition for Military Vehicles and comparison with other work of the group.

Running in conjunction with our Training Day this year will offer the opportunity for any current or potential SEP programme candidates to sit their examination on-site at Engineers' House. The exam will run from 10:00 - 13:00. For more information click here

'Unlocking Innovation through Systems Engineering' INCOSE’s Annual International Symposium is the largest worldwide annual gathering of people who do systems engineering for six days of presentations, case studies, workshops, tutorials and panel discussions. The program attracts an international mix of professionals at all levels, and includes practitioners in government and industry, as well as educators and researchers. The benefits of attending the Symposium include: the opportunity to share ideas; network; build competency; pursue certification; contribute to the advancement of the profession through collaboration on tools, processes and methodologies; learn about new offerings in training and education; and forge new partnerships. For more information click here

Reports on: - SeBOK and Systems Engineering Handbook relatig to Services - Proposed skeleton for service engineering handbook - Review of standard stakeholders for Systems - do they apply for Services Way forward to issuing guidance

This is a regualar meeting of the MBSE Interest Group and will include (subject to availability) presentations from Changan UK (automotive), Jaguar Land Rover (automotive), UKAEA (power generation) and possibly a tour of some of the facilities at Culham. Attendees must pre-regesiter to attend and will require photographic id to gain access to the site. Registration closes on 17 April 2017. Location details can be found here and public transport details here

Jean will describe what it means to say the world is complex and explore what that implies for managing organisations and projects, and how to balance the tensions between efficiency and adapting, between standardisation and customisation. Jean, lead author of Embracing Complexity is a strategy and organisation consultant and academic. She was Head of Engineering Operations for BAe Commercial Aircraft (1989-92), and she has been chair and non-executive director of a number of other organisations, and has consulted many blue chip companies and charities. Her background in theoretical physics coupled with her practical engagement in the fields of management and social research give her a multi-faceted, informed and practical perspective on the implications of embracing complexity and managing in a volatile, uncertain and complex world. For more about Jean’s excellent book see: www.embracingcomplexity.com We welcome everyone to our events and always appreciate help with promoting them. If you are able to, why not print off a copy of the attached flyer and put it up on your staff noticeboard, or forward this email to colleagues and friends you think might enjoy the talk. As ever, this Bristol Local Group talk is open to INCOSE members and non-members alike. We look forward to welcoming you.

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