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High-Level Design Step Description
In this step a system design is created based on the system requirements. This includes a high-level design that defines the overall framework for the system. Subsystems are identified and decomposed further into components. The key internal and external interfaces are defined. Requirements are iterated and further refined with the development of system models.
Purpose
The purpose of this step is to create a high-level project architecture that meets the system requirements developed in the previous step. One of the key qualities of the system engineering process is to consider alternatives and this is the primary step where that occurs for the project. This project architecture needs to define the subsystems that make up the overall project and define the interfaces (between subsystems or external) that the project will deploy.
Activities
A set of activities that support the purpose above are:
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Define integration plan and subsystem verification plans. In parallel with the design effort is the definition of the Integration effort (in the Integration Plan) and if the system complexity warrants it, the development of subsystem verification plans.
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Document the high level design and review with stakeholders. Once again, the results of the step should be documented and reviewed with the stakeholders . The key review milestone at the conclusion of this step is called the Preliminary Design Review.
Related Resources
Chapter 4.5 System Design Systems Engineering for Intelligent Transportation Systems, January 2007
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cadiv/segb/views/document/Sections/Section3/3_5_2.htm?bcsi_scan_AEE9EC396C942F39=0&bcsi_scan_filename=3_5_2.htm
Cost: Free
Chapter 7: Design Phase - Systems Development Life Cycle Guidance Document, Department of Justice, January 2003
http://www.usdoj.gov/jmd/irm/lifecycle/ch7.htm
Cost: Free
Buede D. M., The Engineering Design of Systems: Models and Methods, Wiley Inter-Science, 2000
Cost: (price may range from $54 - $110 depending on retail source)
Martin, J.N., Systems Engineering Guidebook: A Process for Developing Systems and Products, CRC Press, 1997
Cost: (price may range from $83 - $100 depending on retail source)
Note: Much of the material on this page was extracted from http://www.itslessons.its.dot.gov/its/benecost.nsf/LessonSystemsEng.
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