Mapping Space Based Systems Engineering Curriculum to NASA-Industry Developed Competencies for Improved Organizational Performance
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.2.12
- Author
Mrs. Alice Squires, Stevens Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Wiley Larson, Stevens Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Brian Sauser, Stevens Institute of Technology, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
In early 2006, the primary author developed a graduate level systems engineering curriculum based on a detailed analysis of 203 graduate courses offered through 32 U.S. based universities. The universities researched were a subset of those identified by the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE) as universities that offered masters degrees in systems engineering disciplines. The initial baseline curriculum was developed through an iterative process that identified sixteen primary topic areas across the 203 courses and categorized those topics into four levels: foundation (pre-systems engineering), introductory (fundamentals), core (required), and specialization. Course descriptions for each of the sixteen baseline courses were developed through a synthesis of the variety of courses offered in each topic area across the 32 universities. Around this same time, the secondary authors were finalizing a set of system engineering focused industry competencies that were originally developed over a two year period through a NASA working group that included the Department of Defense, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace. More recently, each industry competency was evaluated across four performance levels and the most critical areas of industry need were identified. The resulting competency framework was vetted through industry, and adopted by the Academy for Program, Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL) under the Chief Engineer at NASA headquarters. This paper represents the expansion and merging of the initial baseline systems engineering curriculum with the NASA-adopted system engineering focused industry competencies. First, the initial analysis of common course topic areas is expanded to include universities outside the U.S. The set of courses that comprise the baseline systems engineering curriculum are modified based on an international representation of existing systems engineering curriculum. Next, the updated baseline curriculum is mapped to the existing set of industry competencies. The result is a complete systems engineering taxonomy that can be used by universities or companies to compare the ‘as is’ state of their systems engineering program against a proven set of industry needs to identify and address gaps or opportunities in the curriculum or training. The Stevens Institute of Technology Space Systems Engineering Masters program is provided as an example of the recommended process.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.2.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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