ASEP/CSEP PREP QUESTIONS (INCOSE) - I (SE
HANDBOOK CH.1-4)
System Concept - answer- A shared mental representation of the actual system
System elements have processes that have the binary value of ______ or _____ -
answer- idle, execute
System elements cannot be systems on their own merit. (True/False) - answer- False
What are two things that integration must establish? - answer- 1. relationships between
the effects that organizing the elements has on their own interaction.
2. How these effects enable the system to achieve its purpose
In defining a hierarchy, a SE must strike a balance between: - answer- 1. Defining span
of control clearly and simply
2. Resolving the structure of the SOI into a complete set of system elements that can be
implemented with confidence
Characteristics that can be used to decide if SOI is better understood as a SoS -
answer- o Operational independence of constituent system
o Managerial independence of constituent system
o Geographical distribution
o Emergent behavior
o Evolutionary development process
In complicated systems, the interactions between many parts are governed by______. -
answer- fixed relationships
Difference between complex and complicated systems - answer- o In complicated
systems, the interactions between many parts are governed by fixed relationships.
o In complex systems, interactions between the parts exhibit self-organization where
local interactions give rise to novel. Nonlocal, emergent patterns.
o Complicated systems can often become complex when behavior patterns change.
Challenges that influence the engineering of an SoS - answer- o SoS Authorities (each
constituent system has its own local owner)
o Leadership
o Constituent systems' perspectives
o Capabilities and requirements (most SoS are made up of multiple independent
systems with their own requirements),
o Autonomy, interdependencies, and emergence
o Testing, validation, and learning
o SoS principles (new field, major learning curve for traditional SEs)
,o Security challenges
What should be considered during life cycle stages of the SOI? - answer- Relevant
enabling systems
One system variable can be the cause and effect of another system due to - answer-
circular causation
What are the three classes of SE competencies? - answer- Systems thinking
Holistic life cycle view
SE management
Operating environment/ Operating Context - answer- collection of elements that interact
with the system
Attribute - answer- observable characteristic/property of a system
System Boundary - answer- what belongs/does not belong to the system
Functionality - answer- interactions of the system with its operating environment
System Architecture - answer- per IEEE 42010 (2011): "the fundamental concept or
properties of a system in its environment embodied in its elements, relationships, and in
the principles of its design and evolution."
Variable - answer- symbol/name that identifies an attribute
Measurement - answer- outcome of a process in which the SOI interacts with an
observation system under specified conditions.
Dynamic behavior - answer- time evolution of the system state
Emergent behavior - answer- behavior of the system that cannot be understood
exclusively in terms of the behavior of individual system elements.
· Black Box/ White Box - answer- - Black box: external view of the system (attributes)
- White box: internal view of the system (attributes and element structure)
Partitioning of the system - answer- identify a complete set of distinct system elements
with regard to only the whole by suppressing details of their interactions and
interrelations
System Hierarchy Concept - answer- per IEEE 15288: "[5.2.2] The system life cycle
processes...are described in relation to a system that is composed of a set of interacting
system elements, each of which can be implemented to fulfill its respective specified
requirement."
, SoS - answer- an SOI whose elements are managerially and/or operationally
independent systems
Enabling systems - answer- systems that facilitate the LC activities of the SOI
A life cycle can be defined as _____ - answer- series of stages through which
something passes.
What is a key attribute of the Vee Model? - answer- time and maturity move from left to
right across the diagram
What is IID? - answer- Incremental and iterative development
When are incremental and iterative methods used? - answer- when requirements are
unclear at the onset.
What is primary difference between IID and sequential methods? - answer- velocity and
adaptability
What is the best application of incremental and iterative methods? - answer- when
dealing with smaller, less complex systems
IIDs may also be plan driven if... - answer- requirements are known early in the LC
What is Conway's Law? - answer- organizations which design systems...are constrained
to produce designs which are copies of the communications structures of those
organizations." (Conway, 1968)
Why should an organization care about processes? - answer- This is better to
understand, evaluate, control, learn, communicate, improve, predict, and certify the
work performed.
There are at least two decision gates in any project which are? - answer- (1) authority to
proceed and (2) final acceptance of the deliverable
List the decision options for decision gates - answer- - Acceptable
- Acceptable with reservations
- Unacceptable: Do not proceed
- Unacceptable: Return to proceeding stage
- Unacceptable: Put a hold on project activity
- Unacceptable: Terminate project
Per IEEE 15288: "5.4.1 - A system progresses through its life cycle as the result of... -
answer- actions, performed and managed by people in the organizations, using
processes for execution of these actions.
HANDBOOK CH.1-4)
System Concept - answer- A shared mental representation of the actual system
System elements have processes that have the binary value of ______ or _____ -
answer- idle, execute
System elements cannot be systems on their own merit. (True/False) - answer- False
What are two things that integration must establish? - answer- 1. relationships between
the effects that organizing the elements has on their own interaction.
2. How these effects enable the system to achieve its purpose
In defining a hierarchy, a SE must strike a balance between: - answer- 1. Defining span
of control clearly and simply
2. Resolving the structure of the SOI into a complete set of system elements that can be
implemented with confidence
Characteristics that can be used to decide if SOI is better understood as a SoS -
answer- o Operational independence of constituent system
o Managerial independence of constituent system
o Geographical distribution
o Emergent behavior
o Evolutionary development process
In complicated systems, the interactions between many parts are governed by______. -
answer- fixed relationships
Difference between complex and complicated systems - answer- o In complicated
systems, the interactions between many parts are governed by fixed relationships.
o In complex systems, interactions between the parts exhibit self-organization where
local interactions give rise to novel. Nonlocal, emergent patterns.
o Complicated systems can often become complex when behavior patterns change.
Challenges that influence the engineering of an SoS - answer- o SoS Authorities (each
constituent system has its own local owner)
o Leadership
o Constituent systems' perspectives
o Capabilities and requirements (most SoS are made up of multiple independent
systems with their own requirements),
o Autonomy, interdependencies, and emergence
o Testing, validation, and learning
o SoS principles (new field, major learning curve for traditional SEs)
,o Security challenges
What should be considered during life cycle stages of the SOI? - answer- Relevant
enabling systems
One system variable can be the cause and effect of another system due to - answer-
circular causation
What are the three classes of SE competencies? - answer- Systems thinking
Holistic life cycle view
SE management
Operating environment/ Operating Context - answer- collection of elements that interact
with the system
Attribute - answer- observable characteristic/property of a system
System Boundary - answer- what belongs/does not belong to the system
Functionality - answer- interactions of the system with its operating environment
System Architecture - answer- per IEEE 42010 (2011): "the fundamental concept or
properties of a system in its environment embodied in its elements, relationships, and in
the principles of its design and evolution."
Variable - answer- symbol/name that identifies an attribute
Measurement - answer- outcome of a process in which the SOI interacts with an
observation system under specified conditions.
Dynamic behavior - answer- time evolution of the system state
Emergent behavior - answer- behavior of the system that cannot be understood
exclusively in terms of the behavior of individual system elements.
· Black Box/ White Box - answer- - Black box: external view of the system (attributes)
- White box: internal view of the system (attributes and element structure)
Partitioning of the system - answer- identify a complete set of distinct system elements
with regard to only the whole by suppressing details of their interactions and
interrelations
System Hierarchy Concept - answer- per IEEE 15288: "[5.2.2] The system life cycle
processes...are described in relation to a system that is composed of a set of interacting
system elements, each of which can be implemented to fulfill its respective specified
requirement."
, SoS - answer- an SOI whose elements are managerially and/or operationally
independent systems
Enabling systems - answer- systems that facilitate the LC activities of the SOI
A life cycle can be defined as _____ - answer- series of stages through which
something passes.
What is a key attribute of the Vee Model? - answer- time and maturity move from left to
right across the diagram
What is IID? - answer- Incremental and iterative development
When are incremental and iterative methods used? - answer- when requirements are
unclear at the onset.
What is primary difference between IID and sequential methods? - answer- velocity and
adaptability
What is the best application of incremental and iterative methods? - answer- when
dealing with smaller, less complex systems
IIDs may also be plan driven if... - answer- requirements are known early in the LC
What is Conway's Law? - answer- organizations which design systems...are constrained
to produce designs which are copies of the communications structures of those
organizations." (Conway, 1968)
Why should an organization care about processes? - answer- This is better to
understand, evaluate, control, learn, communicate, improve, predict, and certify the
work performed.
There are at least two decision gates in any project which are? - answer- (1) authority to
proceed and (2) final acceptance of the deliverable
List the decision options for decision gates - answer- - Acceptable
- Acceptable with reservations
- Unacceptable: Do not proceed
- Unacceptable: Return to proceeding stage
- Unacceptable: Put a hold on project activity
- Unacceptable: Terminate project
Per IEEE 15288: "5.4.1 - A system progresses through its life cycle as the result of... -
answer- actions, performed and managed by people in the organizations, using
processes for execution of these actions.
